Things to know before moving from South Dakota to Charlotte, NC

Cost of living: South Dakota vs Charlotte, NC

South Dakota Charlotte
Average rent cost $878 $1,790
Average home value $306,944 $391,658
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $64,814
Unemployment rate 2% 3%
State income tax 0% 5%
  • Rent is about 104% more expensive in Charlotte than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 28% higher in Charlotte than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Charlotte than in South Dakota.
  • Charlotte has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 74%.
  • Income taxes are 5% higher in Charlotte than in South Dakota.

How life is different in Charlotte from South Dakota

Charlotte South Dakota
Population 874,579 919,318
Political leaning Republican 51-48 Republican 63-37
Summer high 89ºF 85ºF
Winter low 30ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 43" 23"
Annual snow 2" 39"
Crime index 46.52 21.14
  • The population of Charlotte is approximately 5% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Charlotte voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Charlotte is 89ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Charlotte reaches the temperature of 30ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Charlotte vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Charlotte, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Charlotte has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 46.52 vs 21.14.

Things to do in Charlotte

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

Museums in Charlottetoggle

  • Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
  • Billy Graham Library
  • Carolinas Aviation Museum
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum
  • Charlotte Nature Museum in Freedom Park
  • Charlotte Trolley Museum in Historic South End
  • Discovery Place
  • Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville
  • Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
  • Historic Rosedale Plantation
  • Levine Museum of the New South
  • The Light Factory
  • McColl Center for Art + Innovation
  • Mint Museum
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Second Ward Alumni House Museum
  • Wells Fargo History Museum
  • Charlotte Museum of History

Parks in Charlottetoggle

  • Arequipa Park
  • Baxter Street Park
  • Fourth Ward Park
  • Frazier Park
  • Independence Park
  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway
  • Marshall Park
  • Ninth Street Park
  • Pearle Street Park
  • Pinewood/Elmwood Cemetery
  • Polk Park
  • Settler's Cemetery
  • The Green
  • Thompson Park

Sports Teams in Charlottetoggle

  • Carolina Panthers
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Charlotte FC
  • Charlotte Checkers
  • Charlotte Knights
  • Charlotte Independence
  • Charlotte Eagles
  • Charlotte Lady Eagles

Universities in Charlottetoggle

  • Central Piedmont Community College
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Queens University of Charlotte
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Other considerations when moving to Charlotte, NC

  • Weather: Charlotte has a moderate climate. Your move is unlikely to be affected by the weather although, the rare snow day in the wintertime could make the road conditions difficult to drive on.
  • 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina 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 North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • 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. Charlotte, NC

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Charlotte, NC:

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 Charlotte side-by-side.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Charlotte, NC
Outstanding tax benefits Delicious food
Robust job market Ample economic opportunity
Low cost of living Quality education
Beautiful rural landscapes Low cost of living
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Pleasant weather

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Charlotte, NC:

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

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Charlotte, NC
Extreme weather Natural disasters
Small-town mindset Quiet nightlife
Sparsely populated Low diversity
Strange and offensive laws Terrible drivers
Unpredictable weather Terrible traffic

FAQ

How long does a move from South Dakota to Charlotte take?

The time frame for a move from South Dakota to Charlotte, NC, 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

Because of the 1496-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Charlotte 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 Charlotte during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources