Factors affecting the cost of moving from SD to AR
There are many factors that influence
South Dakota moving costs.
The cost to move from South Dakota to Arkansas will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
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Time of year: The peak moving season
in South Dakota is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
-
DIY vs. professional mover:
DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from SD to AR
If you’re moving to Arkansas from South Dakota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Arkansas
|
South Dakota |
Arkansas |
| Average rent cost |
$878 |
$868 |
| Average home cost |
$306,944 |
$208,078 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$69,457 |
$56,335 |
| Cost of Living Index |
100 |
90 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.9% |
2.3% |
| Average Sales Tax |
6.4% |
9.51% |
| State Income Tax |
0.0% |
2.0% |
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Rent is about 1% less expensive in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
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Home prices are about 32% lower in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
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The average income is about 19% lower in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
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Cost of living is 10% lower in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
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Arkansas has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 21%.
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Sales taxes are 49% higher in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
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Income taxes are 2% higher in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
How life is different in Arkansas vs. South Dakota
|
Arkansas |
South Dakota |
| Population |
3,067,732 |
919,318 |
| Political leaning |
Republican 64-36 |
Republican 63-37 |
| Summer high |
91ºF |
85ºF |
| Winter low |
28ºF |
7ºF |
| Annual rain |
50" |
23" |
| Annual snow |
4" |
39" |
| Crime index |
30.97 |
21.14 |
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The population of Arkansas is approximately 234% greater than the population of South Dakota.
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In the last presidential election, Arkansas voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Arkansas is 91ºF
and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Arkansas reaches the temperature of 28ºF
and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
-
You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Arkansas versus 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
-
In Arkansas, it snows about 4 inches annually
versus 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
-
Arkansas has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index
of 30.97 vs. 21.14.
Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Arkansas
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Arkansas compared to South Dakota.
| Pros of living in South Dakota |
Pros of living in Arkansas |
| Outstanding tax benefits |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Robust job market |
Low cost of living |
| Low cost of living |
Diverse lifestyle opportunities |
| Beautiful rural landscapes |
Fantastic weather |
| Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities |
Natural beauty |
Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Arkansas
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live.
Here are some things to be aware of when leaving South Dakota for Arkansas.
| Cons of living in South Dakota |
Cons of living in Arkansas |
| Extreme weather |
High crime rate |
| Small-town mindset |
Dangerous wildlife |
| Sparsely populated |
Poor education |
| Strange and offensive laws |
Pervasive poverty |
| Unpredictable weather |
Strange laws |
Other things to consider for your South Dakota to Arkansas move
- Weather: Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
-
Elevator reservation:
One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator
and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
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Parking permits:
Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
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State licensing:
Before providing in-state household goods relocation services, Arkansas moving companies must be issued an Intrastate Authority Permit from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Arkansas moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Arkansas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
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Change of address:
We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move.
You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Arkansas.
Get started here.
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Mover's insurance:
Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers.
Released Value Protection, offered by movers at no extra cost, is the most economical option, albeit with minimal coverage. The mover's responsibility is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. For instance, if a 50-inch TV weighing 25 pounds is lost or damaged, the reimbursement would be $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). To ensure full coverage of your items' value, explore alternative options with your moving company or consider third-party insurance providers.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Arkansas
While you’re in Arkansas, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Hot Springs National Park
- Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water and Theme Park
- Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
- Little Rock Zoo
- Clinton Presidential Center
- Thorncrown Chapel
- Arkansas Air & Military Museum
- Crater of Diamonds State Park
- Garvan Woodland Gardens
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Arkansas?
Do movers transport your car from South Dakota to Arkansas?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee.
But you can also handle
vehicle transport from South Dakota to Arkansas
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from South Dakota to Arkansas?
The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Arkansas are the amazing upsides of living in Arkansas such as
bountiful recreational opportunities and low cost of living.
Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Arkansas?
It is generally cheaper to live in Arkansas than in South Dakota.
Housing
is much more affordable in Arkansas,
with average rent about 1% less and home prices 32.2% lower than in South Dakota.
South Dakota has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Arkansas?
You should make approximately $58,001 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arkansas.
The cost of living in Arkansas is approximately $2,371 per month for an individual and $5,191 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Arkansas you live
For example, larger cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
South Dakota moving services
Popular South Dakota routes
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