Factors affecting the cost of moving from SD to PA
There are many factors that influence
South Dakota moving costs.
The cost to move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania 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.
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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 PA
If you’re moving to Pennsylvania from South Dakota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Pennsylvania
|
South Dakota |
Pennsylvania |
Average rent cost |
$878 |
$1,110 |
Average home cost |
$306,944 |
$268,824 |
Average income (per capita) |
$69,457 |
$73,170 |
Cost of Living Index |
100 |
99 |
Unemployment rate |
1.9% |
3.4% |
Average Sales Tax |
6.4% |
6.34% |
State Income Tax |
0.0% |
3.07% |
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Rent is about 26% more expensive in Pennsylvania than in South Dakota.
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Home prices are about 12% lower in Pennsylvania than in South Dakota.
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The average income is about 5% higher in Pennsylvania than in South Dakota.
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Cost of living is 1% lower in Pennsylvania than in South Dakota.
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Pennsylvania has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 79%.
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Sales taxes are the same in Pennsylvania and South Dakota.
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Income taxes are 3% higher in Pennsylvania than in South Dakota.
How life is different in Pennsylvania vs. South Dakota
|
Pennsylvania |
South Dakota |
Population |
12,961,683 |
919,318 |
Political leaning |
Republican 51-49 |
Republican 63-37 |
Summer high |
83ºF |
85ºF |
Winter low |
19ºF |
7ºF |
Annual rain |
44" |
23" |
Annual snow |
38" |
39" |
Crime index |
17.62 |
21.14 |
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The population of Pennsylvania is approximately 1,310% greater than the population of South Dakota.
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In the last presidential election, Pennsylvania voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Pennsylvania is 83ºF
and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Pennsylvania reaches the temperature of 19ºF
and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
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You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in Pennsylvania versus 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
-
In Pennsylvania, it snows about 38 inches annually
versus 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
-
Pennsylvania has a lower crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index
of 17.62 vs. 21.14.
Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Pennsylvania
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Pennsylvania compared to South Dakota.
Pros of living in South Dakota |
Pros of living in Pennsylvania |
Outstanding tax benefits |
Low cost of living |
Robust job market |
Abundant fun and recreational activities |
Low cost of living |
Beautiful landscapes |
Beautiful rural landscapes |
Ample economic opportunity |
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities |
Excellent education options |
Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania.
Cons of living in South Dakota |
Cons of living in Pennsylvania |
Extreme weather |
Harsh winter weather |
Small-town mindset |
Bad driving conditions |
Sparsely populated |
Nuclear power plants |
Strange and offensive laws |
Unpredictable weather |
Unpredictable weather |
High taxes on gasoline |
Other things to consider for your South Dakota to Pennsylvania move
- Weather: Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.
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HOA rules:
Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
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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 decades movers In Pennsylvania were regulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Each company was issued a PUC Number and was required to abide by a universal publicly published tariff that established the rates movers could charge for various services.
Now, some sources claim that the PUC no longer regulates in-state movers, and it appears as though the PUC’s website is no longer functioning. So if you’re moving within Pennsylvania, you’ll want to address these issues with your moving company representative and if possible, contact the state directly. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
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State regulator:
You can verify a Pennsylvania moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
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.
In Pennsylvania, movers typically offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For more comprehensive coverage, inquire about Full Value Protection with the moving company, or explore third-party insurance options for tailored plans. Consider coverage limits, additional costs, and reviews before making a decision.
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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 Pennsylvania
While you’re in Pennsylvania, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Hersheypark
- Gettysburg National Military Park
- Fallingwater
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Visit Strasburg
- Independence National Park and the Liberty Bell
- Valley Forge National Historical Park
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
- Eastern State Penitentiary
- Presque Isle State Park
- Andy Warhol Museum
- Longwood Gardens
- Ohiopyle State Park
- Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Flight 93 National Memorial
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History
- Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
- Eisenhower National Historic Site
- Reading Terminal Market
Helpful moving resources
South Dakota moving services
Popular South Dakota routes