Things to know before moving from South Dakota to St. Louis, MO

Cost of living: South Dakota vs St. Louis, MO

South Dakota St. Louis
Average rent cost $878 $1,250
Average home value $306,944 $171,463
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $66,090
Unemployment rate 2% 6%
State income tax 0% 5%
  • Rent is about 42% more expensive in St. Louis than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 44% lower in St. Louis than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 5% lower in St. Louis than in South Dakota.
  • St. Louis has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 232%.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in St. Louis than in South Dakota.

How life is different in St. Louis from South Dakota

St. Louis South Dakota
Population 293,310 919,318
Political leaning Republican 58-42 Republican 63-37
Summer high 89ºF 85ºF
Winter low 23ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 42" 23"
Annual snow 16" 39"
Crime index 69.65 21.14
  • The population of St. Louis is approximately 68% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, St. Louis voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in St. Louis is 89ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, St. Louis reaches the temperature of 23ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 42 inches of annual rainfall in St. Louis vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In St. Louis, it snows about 16 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • St. Louis has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 69.65 vs 21.14.

Things to do in St. Louis

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

Museums in St. Louistoggle

  • City Museum
  • Saint Louis Art Museum
  • The Magic House
  • Saint Louis Science Center
  • Missouri History Museum
  • The National Museum of Transportation
  • Missouri Civil War Museum
  • National Blues Museum
  • Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Museum of Westward Expansion
  • Campbell House Museum
  • Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum

Parks in St. Louistoggle

  • Missouri Botanical Garden
  • St. Louis Zoo
  • Forest Park
  • Lone Elk Park
  • Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
  • Gateway Arch National Park
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park
  • Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
  • Tower Grove Park
  • Jefferson Barracks Historic Park

Sports Teams in St. Louistoggle

  • St. Louis Cardinals Baseball (MLB)
  • St. Louis Blues (NHL)
  • St. Louis City SC (MLS)
  • St. Louis BattleHawks (XFL)

Universities in St. Louistoggle

  • University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Saint Louis University
  • St. Louis Community College
  • Harris–Stowe State University
  • Fontbonne University
  • Webster University
  • Missouri Baptist University
  • University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy
  • Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
  • Lindenwood University

Other considerations when moving to St. Louis, MO

  • Weather: St. Louis experiences hot summers, cold winters, many thunderstorms, and tornados. There's a chance that the climate will affect your move so be sure to check the forecast ahead of time.
  • 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: Movers that provide local and intrastate relocation services in Missouri fall under the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Every household goods mover operating in the state is required to have a MoDOT Number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Missouri moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Missouri 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 Missouri. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection, the budget-friendly choice with no extra cost from movers. This minimal coverage ensures that movers are liable for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per item. For a comprehensive coverage of your valuables, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider. Ensure the full value of your items is covered by consulting with the moving company for suitable alternatives.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of South Dakota vs. St. Louis, MO

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. St. Louis, MO:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in South Dakota vs St. Louis side-by-side.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in St. Louis, MO
Outstanding tax benefits Rich culture
Robust job market Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Low cost of living Quality public transportation
Beautiful rural landscapes Low cost of living
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Friendly people

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. St. Louis, MO:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving South Dakota for St. Louis.

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in St. Louis, MO
Extreme weather Poor education
Small-town mindset High crime rate
Sparsely populated Urban sprawl
Strange and offensive laws Lack of economic opportunity
Unpredictable weather Pervasive poverty

FAQ

How long does a move from South Dakota to St. Louis take?

The time frame for a move from South Dakota to St. Louis, MO, 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis?

Because of the 780-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to St. Louis 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 St. Louis, MO?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 23ºF, most people move to St. Louis 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 St. Louis during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources