Things to know before moving from South Dakota to Olympia, WA

Cost of living: South Dakota vs Olympia, WA

South Dakota Olympia
Average rent cost $878 $1,895
Average home value $306,944 $508,798
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $66,492
Unemployment rate 2% 6%
State income tax 0% 0%
  • Rent is about 116% more expensive in Olympia than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 66% higher in Olympia than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 4% lower in Olympia than in South Dakota.
  • Olympia has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 195%.
  • Income taxes are the same in Olympia and South Dakota.

How life is different in Olympia from South Dakota

Olympia South Dakota
Population 55,605 919,318
Political leaning Democratic 58-39 Republican 63-37
Summer high 78ºF 85ºF
Winter low 33ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 53" 23"
Annual snow 6" 39"
Crime index 27.95 21.14
  • The population of Olympia is approximately 94% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Olympia voted Democratic and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Olympia is 78ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Olympia reaches the temperature of 33ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 53 inches of annual rainfall in Olympia vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Olympia, it snows about 6 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Olympia has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 27.95 vs 21.14.

Things to do in Olympia

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

Museums in Olympiatoggle

  • Hands On Children's Museum
  • Olympic Flight Museum
  • WET Science Center
  • Bigelow House Museum
  • Childhood's End Gallery
  • Olympia Pinball Museum
  • Gallery Boom

Parks in Olympiatoggle

  • Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
  • Squaxin Park
  • Percival Landing
  • Tolmie State Park
  • Monarch Sculpture Park
  • Millersylvania State Park
  • Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area
  • Nisqually Reach Nature Center
  • Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
  • Heritage Park

Universities in Olympiatoggle

  • Saint Martin's University
  • South Puget Sound Community College
  • Evergreen State College
  • Saint Martin's University‎

Other considerations when moving to Olympia, WA

  • Weather: July, August and September are the driest months in Olympia, WA and so it would be best to plan moving during these months. Snow and rain might be a challenge deo relocation during the colder months, specially during December and January.
  • 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 operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Washington moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Washington 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 Washington. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. When planning a move in Washington state, explore movers' insurance options for added peace of mind. Many moving companies offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. Enhance your protection by discussing Full Value Protection with the moving company or exploring personalized plans with third-party insurance providers. Understand coverage limits, potential extra costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision on your Washington state moving insurance.
  • 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 Olympia take?

The time frame for a move from South Dakota to Olympia, WA, 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 Olympia 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 Olympia 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 Olympia?

Because of the 1353-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to Olympia 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 Olympia, WA?

With the summer highs of 78ºF and the winter lows of 33ºF, most people move to Olympia 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 Olympia during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources