Moving to South Dakota? 2024 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

South Dakota is an expansive state situated in the Midwestern region of the United States. Known most popularly for its picturesque landscapes, South Dakota is home to the world-renowned Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the rugged landscapes of Badlands National Park.

If you are considering moving to South Dakota, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick South Dakota Facts:

Population: 895,000+ (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $57,000 (2021)
Random Fact: South Dakota is home to the largest underground gold mine in the United States, the Homestake Mine, which operated for over a century and produced approximately 41 million ounces of gold.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of mid 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to South Dakota

From State	Estimated Cost
California	$4,200 – $6,500
Texas	$3,500 – $5,500
Florida	$4,000 – $6,000
New York	$4,500 – $7,000
Pennsylvania	$3,800 – $5,800
Illinois	$3,600 – $5,400
Ohio	$3,400 – $5,200
Georgia	$3,700 – $5,700
North Carolina	$3,800 – $5,800
Michigan	$3,500 – $5,500

2. South Dakota Housing Costs

The range of rental and house purchase prices in South Dakota can vary depending on the location, but in general, downtown areas tend to have higher prices compared to uptown or suburban areas.

Monthly Rental Prices in South Dakota

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,090+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,060+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $1,660+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,500+

South Dakota Home Purchase Prices

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $1,600+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,600+

South Dakota Housing Cost Comparison

This is how rents in South Dakota compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 57.6% more expensive
New York is 70.7% more expensive
Los Angeles is 58.1% more expensive
Toronto is 40.2% more expensive
Sydney is 50.1% more expensive
Paris is 29% more expensive
Dubai is 40.4% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Roomies.com and Spare Room.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Downtown Sioux Falls offers a mix of upscale apartments and historic homes with rental prices ranging from around $1,000 to $2,500 per month, while in suburban areas like Rapid City, house purchase prices can range from $150,000 to $400,000 for a typical single-family home.

3. South Dakota Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

South Dakota embraces a mix of traditional and modern food trends. South Dakota is known for its iconic dish, the Indian taco, which features fry bread topped with chilli, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and other toppings.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $12.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.05
Bottle of Coke: $4.00
1L of Milk: $1.10
Loaf of Bread: $2.60
12 Eggs: $4.50
1kg Chicken: $12.50
1kg Beef: $14.50
1kg Apples: $5.25
1kg White Rice: $1.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 42.1% more expensive and groceries are 10.9% cheaper than South Dakota.
New York restaurants are 43.3% more expensive and groceries are 33.7% more expensive than South Dakota.
Los Angeles restaurants are 42.4% more expensive and groceries are 16.1% more expensive than South Dakota.
Toronto restaurants are 24.3% more expensive and groceries are 4.5% more expensive than South Dakota.
Sydney restaurants are 28% more expensive and groceries are 13.5% more expensive than South Dakota.
Paris restaurants are 23.1% more expensive and groceries are 13% more expensive than South Dakota.
Dubai restaurants are 19.4% more expensive and groceries are 35.7% cheaper than South Dakota.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries

Know Your Supermarkets: Farmers’ markets are a vibrant part of South Dakota’s food culture, offering fresh produce, locally-made products, and a direct connection between farmers and consumers. These markets can be found throughout the state, providing an opportunity to support local agriculture. In terms of supermarkets, South Dakota has a range of options from affordable chain supermarkets like Walmart and Aldi, as well as higher-end options like Hy-Vee or Natural Grocers.
Find Cheap Eats: South Dakota has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet.

4. South Dakota Alcohol Costs

South Dakota, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $3.50
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $4.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $1.75
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $4.25
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $13.00

How To Drink For Less in South Dakota

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Happy Hours on Trip Advisor.

5. South Dakota Transportation Fares

Public transport in South Dakota is relatively limited compared to more densely populated areas. The state relies primarily on bus services, such as the Mount Rushmore Express, and regional transit systems in larger cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City, while rural areas may have fewer public transportation options.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $2.00
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $30.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option. South Dakota likes to think of itself as a bike-friendly city and has introduced many miles of bike lanes over the last few years.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in South Dakota

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from mid-2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in South Dakota ranges from approximately 4°C (39°F) in the northwest to 10°C (50°F) in the southeast. The coldest month is typically January, with average temperatures around -8°C (18°F), while the hottest month is July, with average temperatures reaching around 27°C (81°F). The wettest month varies across the state, but generally, June tends to be the wettest month with increased precipitation.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $40.00
Summer Dress: $42.50
Running Shoes (Trainers): $90.00
Business Shoes: $100.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $75.00
Deodorant: $3.50
Shampoo: $3.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.00
Gym Membership: $32.50
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.00

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in South Dakota

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in South Dakota. If you’re moving to South Dakota from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in South Dakota:

Volkswagen Golf: $29,500+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.90

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in South Dakota

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in South Dakota

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

In South Dakota, the state sales tax rate is currently 4.5%, but the total sales tax rate (including state and local taxes) in some areas of South Dakota can range from 6.5% to 7.5%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in South Dakota at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in South Dakota you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from South Dakota

If you do make the move to South Dakota, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $700
New York: $350
Los Angeles: $90
Toronto: $180
Vancouver: $265
Dubai: $680
Sydney: $920
Melbourne: $650
Cape Town: $1,100
Hong Kong: $995

Other Tips on Moving to South Dakota

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in South Dakota but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to South Dakota Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in South Dakota.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: South Dakota always has something going on. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

12. Moving to South Dakota with a Family

South Dakota is generally considered a family-friendly location with a strong sense of community and a variety of family-oriented activities and attractions. In terms of crime rate, South Dakota has a relatively low crime rate compared to the national average.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at the Department of Health’s page.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: South Dakota offers several family-friendly areas to live, but one notable location is Sioux Falls. With a population of over 190,000, Sioux Falls provides a range of amenities, excellent schools, family-oriented events, and a strong sense of community. It boasts numerous parks, recreational facilities, and attractions like the Great Plains Zoo, making it an attractive choice for families seeking a vibrant and family-friendly environment.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in South Dakota. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to South Dakota for Work

While it is possible to move to South Dakota without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. The main industries in South Dakota include agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism, and financial services. The state is known for its significant production of livestock, crops, and ethanol, along with manufacturing sectors such as machinery, food processing, and electronics. The unemployment rate in South Dakota was relatively low compared to the national average, typically hovering around 2-3%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to South Dakota, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to South Dakota from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in South Dakota, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: The Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia has an area of around 75,000 square miles (194,000 square kilometres), similar to the size of South Dakota.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in South Dakota that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to South Dakota from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in South Dakota. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Nova Scotia is around 20,000 square miles smaller than South Dakota.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to South Dakota from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in South Dakota. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: The combined area of England and Wales is similar to the size of South Dakota.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in South Dakota, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to South Dakota you can start by comparing moving quotes here.