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

Cost of living: South Dakota vs Seattle, WA

South Dakota Seattle
Average rent cost $878 $1,975
Average home value $306,944 $842,068
Average income (per capita) $69,457 $77,845
Unemployment rate 2% 5%
State income tax 0% 0%
  • Rent is about 125% more expensive in Seattle than in South Dakota.
  • Home prices are about 174% higher in Seattle than in South Dakota.
  • The average income is about 12% higher in Seattle than in South Dakota.
  • Seattle has a higher unemployment rate than South Dakota by about 153%.
  • Income taxes are the same in Seattle and South Dakota.

How life is different in Seattle from South Dakota

Seattle South Dakota
Population 737,015 919,318
Political leaning Democratic 57-43 Republican 63-37
Summer high 76ºF 85ºF
Winter low 36ºF 7ºF
Annual rain 38" 23"
Annual snow 5" 39"
Crime index 58.88 21.14
  • The population of Seattle is approximately 20% lower than the population of South Dakota.
  • In the last presidential election, Seattle voted Democratic and South Dakota voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Seattle is 76ºF and in South Dakota, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Seattle reaches the temperature of 36ºF and South Dakota gets down to 7ºF.
  • You can expect about 38 inches of annual rainfall in Seattle vs 23 inches of rainfall in South Dakota.
  • In Seattle, it snows about 5 inches annually vs 39 inches of snow in South Dakota.
  • Seattle has a higher crime rate than South Dakota with a crime index of 58.88 vs 21.14.

Things to do in Seattle

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

Museums in Seattletoggle

  • Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP)
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • National Nordic Museum
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Museum of Flight
  • Museum of History and Industry
  • Wing Luke Museum
  • Seattle Pinball Museum
  • Frye Art Museum
  • Cascadia Art Museum
  • Northwest African American Museum

Parks in Seattletoggle

  • Discovery Park
  • Olympic Sculpture Park
  • Green Lake Park
  • Carkeek Park
  • Washington Park Arboretum
  • Gas Works Park
  • Seward Park
  • Kubota Garden
  • Kerry Park
  • Magnuson Park
  • Volunteer Park
  • Viretta Park

Sports Teams in Seattletoggle

  • Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
  • Seattle Mariners (MLB)
  • Seattle Kraken (NHL)
  • Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
  • Seattle Seawolves (MLR)
  • Seattle Dragons (XFL)
  • Seattle Storm (WNBA)

Universities in Seattletoggle

  • University of Washington
  • Seattle University
  • Seattle Pacific University
  • City University of Seattle
  • Antioch University Seattle
  • Cornish College of the Arts
  • The Art Institute of Seattle
  • Gage Academy of Art and the School of Visual Concepts
  • Seattle Central College
  • Northeastern University

Other considerations when moving to Seattle, WA

  • Weather: Although Seattle has a reputation for frequent rain, the climate in Seattle is very unlikely to affect your move.
  • 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.

Compare the pros and cons of South Dakota vs. Seattle, WA

Comparing the pros of South Dakota vs. Seattle, WA:

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 Seattle side-by-side.

Pros of living in South Dakota Pros of living in Seattle, WA
Outstanding tax benefits Beautiful nature
Robust job market Ample economic opportunity
Low cost of living Safe
Beautiful rural landscapes Delicious seafood
Abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities Bountiful arts and recreational activities

Comparing the cons of living in South Dakota vs. Seattle, WA:

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

Cons of living in South Dakota Cons of living in Seattle, WA
Extreme weather High cost of living
Small-town mindset Rainy weather
Sparsely populated Xenophobic residents
Strange and offensive laws Terrible traffic
Unpredictable weather Expensive housing market

FAQ

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

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

Because of the 1313-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Dakota to Seattle 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 Seattle, WA?

With the summer highs of 76ºF and the winter lows of 36ºF, most people move to Seattle 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 Seattle during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources