Things to know before moving from South Dakota to Ann Arbor, MI

Cost of living: South Dakota vs Ann Arbor, MI

South Dakota Ann Arbor
Average rent cost $878 $2,260
Average home value $306,944 $474,909
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $66,964
Unemployment rate 2% 4%
State income tax 0% 4%
  • Rent is about 157% more expensive in Ann Arbor than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 55% higher in Ann Arbor than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 4% lower in Ann Arbor than in South Dakota.
  • Ann Arbor has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 84%.
  • Income taxes are 4% higher in Ann Arbor than in South Dakota.

How life is different in Ann Arbor from South Dakota

Ann Arbor South Dakota
Population 123,851 919,318
Political leaning Democratic72-26 Republican 63-37
Summer high 83ºF 85ºF
Winter low 17ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 36" 23"
Annual snow 43" 39"
Crime index 31.0 21.14
  • The population of Ann Arbor is approximately 87% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Ann Arbor voted Democratic72-26 and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Ann Arbor is 83ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Ann Arbor reaches the temperature of 17ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Ann Arbor vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Ann Arbor, it snows about 43 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Ann Arbor has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 31.0 vs 21.14.

Things to do in Ann Arbor

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Ann Arbor.

Museums in Ann Arbortoggle

  • Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
  • University of Michigan Museum of Art
  • University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
  • Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
  • Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry

Parks in Ann Arbortoggle

  • Gallup Park
  • Hudson Mills Metropark
  • County Farm Park
  • Buhr Park
  • Lillie Park
  • Mary Beth Doyle Park
  • Bandemer Park

Sports Teams in Ann Arbortoggle

  • Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten)

Universities in Ann Arbortoggle

  • University of Michigan
  • Cleary University
  • Concordia University Ann Arbor
  • Washtenaw Community College

Other considerations when moving to Ann Arbor, MI

  • Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Ann Arbor for moving.
  • 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.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Michigan does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Michigan. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from South Dakota to Ann Arbor take?

The time frame for a move from South Dakota to Ann Arbor, MI, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in South Dakota, the longer the drive time to Ann Arbor will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Ann Arbor from South Dakota can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from South Dakota to Ann Arbor?

Because of the 983-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to Ann Arbor as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Ann Arbor, MI?

With the summer highs of 83ºF and the winter lows of 17ºF, most people move to Ann Arbor from South Dakota during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Ann Arbor during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources