Factors affecting the cost of moving from SD to TNtoggle

There are many factors that influence South Dakota moving costs. The cost to move from South Dakota to Tennessee will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • 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 TN

If you’re moving to Tennessee from South Dakota, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: South Dakota vs. Tennessee

South Dakota Tennessee
Average rent cost $878 $1,047
Average home cost $306,944 $319,208
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $64,035
Cost of Living Index 100 0
Unemployment rate 1.9% 3.3%
Average Sales Tax 6.4% 9.55%
State Income Tax 0.0% 0.0%
source: World Population Review, Zillow, US Census Bureau, US BLS, Tax Foundation
  • Rent is about 19% more expensive in Tennessee than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 4% higher in Tennessee than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 8% lower in Tennessee than in South Dakota.
  • Cost of living is 100% lower in Tennessee than in South Dakota.
  • Tennessee has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 74%.
  • Sales taxes are 49% higher in Tennessee than in South Dakota.
  • Tennessee has no income tax.

How life is different in Tennessee vs. South Dakota

Tennessee South Dakota
Population 7,126,489 919,318
Political leaning Republican 64-36 Republican 63-37
Summer high 88ºF 85ºF
Winter low 27ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 53" 23"
Annual snow 5" 39"
Crime index 29.24 21.14
source: US Census Bureau, 270TOWIN, NeighborhoodScout, BestPlaces
  • The population of Tennessee is approximately 675% greater than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Tennessee voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Tennessee is 88ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Tennessee reaches the temperature of 27ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Tennessee versus 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Tennessee, it snows about 5 inches annually versus 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Tennessee has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 29.24 vs. 21.14.

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Tennessee

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Tennessee compared to South Dakota.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Tennessee
Outstanding tax benefits Abundant recreational opportunities
Robust job market No income taxes
Low cost of living Legendary music scene
Beautiful rural landscapes Natural beauty and parks galore
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Delicious southern comfort food

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Tennessee

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 Tennessee.

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Tennessee
Extreme weather Tendency for severe weather
Small-town mindset Oppressive summer heat and humidity
Sparsely populated Abundant presence of nuclear power plants
Strange and offensive laws Traffic congestion
Unpredictable weather High urban crime rates

Other things to consider for your South Dakota to Tennessee movetoggle

  • Weather: Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Tennessee, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Tennessee moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Tennessee 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Tennessee. Get started here.
  • 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. When it comes to movers' insurance in Tennessee, most moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra charge. This basic coverage extends to 60 cents per pound per item. For increased protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Additionally, exploring third-party insurance providers is a viable choice for tailored plans. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Tennessee.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Tennesseetoggle

While you’re in Tennessee, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • The Smokies: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Elvis Presley's Graceland
  • Grand Ole Opry House and Opry Museum
  • Tennessee Aquarium
  • Dollywood
  • The Hermitage: President Andrew Jackson's Home
  • Memphis Zoo and Aquarium
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Titanic Museum
  • Ruby Falls
  • Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
  • The Parthenon
  • American Museum of Science and Energy
  • Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
  • Lookout Mountain
  • Beale Street
  • The Lost Sea Adventure
  • Bell Witch Cave
  • Ryman Auditorium
  • Crystal Shrine Grotto
source: AttractionsofAmerica

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Tennessee?toggle

Hiring a full-service South Dakota moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from South Dakota to Tennessee?toggle

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 Tennessee separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from South Dakota to Tennessee?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from South Dakota to Tennessee are the amazing upsides of living in Tennessee such as abundant recreational opportunities and no income taxes.

Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or Tennessee?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in South Dakota than in Tennessee. Housing is more affordable in South Dakota, with average rent about 16% less and home prices 4% lower than in Tennessee.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Tennessee?toggle

You should make approximately $63,555 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Tennessee. The cost of living in Tennessee is approximately $2,475 per month for an individual and $6,425 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Tennessee you live For example, larger cities like Nashville and Memphis will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources

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