Things to know before moving from South Dakota to Knoxville, TN

Cost of living: South Dakota vs Knoxville, TN

South Dakota Knoxville
Average rent cost $878 $1,795
Average home value $306,944 $350,035
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $61,050
Unemployment rate 2% 5%
State income tax 0% 0%
  • Rent is about 104% more expensive in Knoxville than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 14% higher in Knoxville than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 12% lower in Knoxville than in South Dakota.
  • Knoxville has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 147%.
  • Income taxes are the same in Knoxville and South Dakota.

How life is different in Knoxville from South Dakota

Knoxville South Dakota
Population 190,740 919,318
Political leaning Republican 64-34 Republican 63-37
Summer high 88ºF 85ºF
Winter low 28ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 50" 23"
Annual snow 6" 39"
Crime index 42.54 21.14
  • The population of Knoxville is approximately 79% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Knoxville voted Republican and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Knoxville is 88ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Knoxville reaches the temperature of 28ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Knoxville vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Knoxville, it snows about 6 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Knoxville has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 42.54 vs 21.14.

Things to do in Knoxville

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

Museums in Knoxvilletoggle

  • Knoxville Museum of Art
  • East Tennesse Historical Society
  • Muse Knoxville
  • Old Smoky Railway Museum
  • Art Market Gallery
  • Farragut Folklife Museum

Parks in Knoxvilletoggle

  • Lakeshore Park
  • World's Fair Park
  • Krutch Park
  • Fort Dickerson Park
  • Volunteer Landing Park
  • Victor Ashe Park
  • Fountain City Park
  • New Harvest Park
  • Adair Park

Sports Teams in Knoxvilletoggle

  • Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)

Universities in Knoxvilletoggle

  • South College
  • The University of Tennessee
  • Fountainhead College of Technology
  • Johnson University
  • University of Phoenix Knoxville
  • Pellissippi State Community College

Other considerations when moving to Knoxville, TN

  • Weather: Best months to move into Knoxville are September, May and October as weather during are considered pleasant. Winters are generally much cooler and less stable, with occasional small amounts of snow.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Tennessee. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. 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.

FAQ

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

The time frame for a move from South Dakota to Knoxville, TN, 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville?

Because of the 1263-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to Knoxville 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 Knoxville, TN?

With the summer highs of 88ºF and the winter lows of 28ºF, most people move to Knoxville 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 Knoxville during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources