Best Alaska to South Dakota Movers and Practical Moving Guide
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Embarking on a state-to-state move is an exhilarating journey, marking a significant transition in your life. Leaving behind Alaska's majestic "Last Frontier" for South Dakota's rolling "Mount Rushmore State" landscapes opens up a realm of new experiences, from unique culinary delights to diverse neighborhoods. Understanding the monumental task ahead, it's crucial to entrust your move to professional movers renowned for their reliability and excellence, ensuring peace of mind as you navigate this significant life change.
Best Alaska to South Dakota Moving Companies
| Company Name | Rating  | BBB Rating | License | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dial-A-Move Inc. | 8.94 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Two Men and a Truck | 8.91 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| The Moving Man | 7.82 | A+ | Authorized For HHG | Contact |
| Wrightway Auto Carriers, Inc. | 6.97 | NR | Authorized For Property | Contact |
| Air Van Moving | 6.85 | NR | Authorized For Property | Contact |
| Royal Alaskan Movers | 6.46 | A+ | Authorized For Property, HHG | Contact |
(800) 787-5428
Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from South Dakota to Alaska guide.
6 Best AK to SD Moving Companies
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
About Dial-A-Move Inc.
Family-run Dial-A-Move is a professional moving company incorporated in 2001. It has a location in Aberdeen, SD, offering a wide range of af...Read More >>
Services
- Cheap moving options
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
About Two Men and a Truck
Launched in the 1980s, Two Men and a Truck serves residential and commercial customers all over the country. The company opened its Sioux Fa...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving
- Junk removal
- Storage
About The Moving Man
The Moving Man is a family-owned and operated full-service moving company based in Anchorage, Alaska since 1992. Their service area includes...Read More >>
Services
- Local Residential Moving
- Local Commercial Moving
- Out-of-State Moves
About Wrightway Auto Carriers, Inc.
Having been in the vehicle transportation business since 1951, Wrightway Auto Carriers, Inc. is a pioneer in the industry in Alaska. With te...Read More >>
Services
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
- Cross-country moving services
About Air Van Moving
Air Van Moving is a professional moving company that is based in Alaska and the Northwest. Whether it is across town, across the country, or...Read More >>
Services
- Residential Moving
- Commercial and Office Moving
- Long-Distance Moves
About Royal Alaskan Movers
Royal Alaskan Movers is a professional moving company that has been serving clients in Anchorage, Alaska, and its surrounding areas since 20...Read More >>
Services
- Cheap moving services
- Local moving services
- Long-distance moving services
Interstate Moving License
USDOT / MC Status Entity Type | 2077580 / FF-10566
725677 Authorized For Property, HHG Carrier |
| Registered Trucks/Vans | 13 |
| Registered Drivers | 12 |
| Total Annual Miles Moved | 92,150 (2022) |
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alaska to South Dakota
Moving from Alaska to South Dakota? This guide offers an honest reflection, comparing the good and the bad attributes of this relocation. The purpose of the Alaska to South Dakota relocation comparative charts is to give you a clear, side-by-side view of what you're leaving behind and what you'll gain. Whether it's the climate, cost of living, or lifestyle differences, understanding both the pros and cons will help ensure you're making an informed decision.
Alaska- Extreme cold
- High cost of living
- Remote locations
- Limited daylight (winter)
- Scarce job market
South Dakota- Milder winters
- Lower cost of living
- Easier accessibility
- More balanced daylight
- Diverse job opportunities
South Dakota- Fewer mountains
- Less wildlife diversity
- More populated areas
- Different cultural focus
- Different outdoor activities
Alaska- Stunning landscapes
- Abundant wildlife
- Seclusion
- Rich cultural heritage
- Outdoor recreation
The transition from Alaska to South Dakota brings meaningful changes in your daily scenery and lifestyle. In Alaska, you might have been accustomed to the breathtaking views of Denali and the abundant wildlife encounters from your own backyard. Moving to South Dakota, while the Black Hills offer their own type of stunning landscapes, the geographical diversity will change. Cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City offer vibrant community events, unique local restaurants like Minervas, and attractions such as the iconic Mount Rushmore. The job market in South Dakota, especially in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, presents new opportunities. Although you might miss Alaska's secluded wilderness, South Dakota's diverse outdoor activities, including hiking in the Badlands or visiting Custer State Park, offer their own allure. This move is a chance to embrace a different pace of life while discovering new natural beauties and community-centric living.
Alaska vs. South Dakota Food Guide
As you plan your move, understanding the local culture is crucial and food plays a big part in that. In this guide, we'll delve into a comparison of the local cuisine between Alaska & South Dakota to give you a taste of what to expect and help you navigate the culinary scene of your new home.
| Alaska | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | King Crab | Chislic |
| Most popular meat dish | Salmon | Pheasant |
| Most popular street food item | Reindeer Hot Dog | Indian Taco |
| Most popular vegan food | Kelp Salsa | Wild Rice Bowl |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
Alaska and South Dakota offer unique culinary experiences reflective of their local cultures and histories. In Alaska, you'll find an abundance of seafood-centric meals such as King Crab and Salmon dishes, best savored at iconic spots like The Alaska Fish House and Glacier Brewhouse. On the streets, the reindeer hot dog stands out as a must-try. Moving to South Dakota, you'll discover Chislic, a regional specialty, and Indian Tacos, which offer a taste of the local Indigenous culinary influence. Restaurants like Minervas and Cattleman's Steakhouse deliver on providing traditional American fare with a South Dakotan twist. Notably, both states have growing food scenes, but Alaska shows a slightly higher interest in health-conscious and food truck culture.
Ready to start your move?
Alaska vs. South Dakota Real Estate & Living Facts
Real estate is a crucial aspect when considering a move. It's essential to understand how the housing markets in Alaska and South Dakota stack up against each other to make an informed decision.
| Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Cabin/Log | Ranch |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural scenery, Privacy | Community, Affordability |
When looking deeper into the housing aspects, it's clear that the choice between Alaska and South Dakota involves more than just numbers. Alaska's higher median home prices reflect its unique market, often characterized by its stunning natural scenery, which is frequently highlighted in real estate listings. On the other hand, South Dakota offers a more affordable housing market and boasts an appeal towards community-centric living, as seen in its popular ranch-style homes. This difference in lifestyle and community highlights the diverse offerings of both states beyond just walkability and bikeability scores, wherein South Dakota slightly leads.
Alaska vs. South Dakota Weather Considerations
Moving between locations, it's crucial to grasp how the climate shifts. Understanding the weather comparison ensures you're prepared for life in Alaska versus South Dakota . This insight aids in adjusting from the frigid north to the more temperate Great Plains.
Alaska
South Dakota
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Alaska
South Dakota
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Alaska
South Dakota
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Alaska
South Dakota
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good | Variable |
| Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Volcanoes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
When relocating from Alaska to South Dakota, you'll find a significant climate adjustment. South Dakota enjoys more sunny days annually, which can be a pleasant change. However, the summer temperatures are notably warmer, necessitating adaptations in your daily and seasonal routine. Despite receiving less snow, South Dakota faces its own weather challenges, including tornadoes and blizzards. Understanding these differences will help you prepare for and thrive in your new environment.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Alaska to South Dakota
When moving from Alaska to South Dakota, understanding the financial implications is crucial. This comparison will shed light on the differences in cost of living, taxes, and more between these two states. By examining the financial landscape of moving from Alaska to South Dakota, you're better equipped to plan your relocation budget.
| Comparison | Alaska | South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $88,121 | $69,728 |
| Cost of Living Index | 132.6 | 94.1 |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 0% |
| Avg. Property Tax | 1.19% | 1.22% |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 1.76% | 4.5% |
| Top 3 Industries | Oil, Fishing, Tourism | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism |
| Affluence | Moderately affluent | Less affluent |
| Poverty | Lower | Higher |
| Homelessness | Variable | Lower |
Moving from Alaska to South Dakota can significantly alter your financial landscape due to the notable differences in average household income and cost of living. Although both states boast a 0% state income tax, offering a unique advantage over many other states, South Dakota presents a lower cost of living index at 88.3 compared to Alaska's 123.5. However, the average sales tax in South Dakota is higher, which can impact daily expenses differently than in Alaska. The change in principal industries from oil, fishing, and tourism in Alaska to agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism in South Dakota might also influence job opportunities and economic engagements. These shifts indicate a different economic environment, which could affect your lifestyle and financial planning post-relocation.
Alaska vs. South Dakota Political & Religious Comparison
In planning your move from Alaska to South Dakota, it's crucial to grasp a quick, at-a-glance snapshot of the political, and religious makeup of the residents. This comparison of the politics and religious makeup between Alaska & South Dakota will aid in setting your expectations and help in your adaptation to your new home.
| Alaska | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Lean conservative, mixed | Strongly conservative |
| Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican, with independent influence | Dominantly Republican in local and state government |
| Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Primarily Christian, significant Lutheran and Catholic populations |
Alaska and South Dakota share a conservative tilt politically, but Alaska presents a more mixed political landscape with a significant independent streak and a blend of Democratic and Republican influences. On the other hand, South Dakota has a stronger conservative profile with dominantly Republican leadership. In terms of religion, both states are predominantly Christian, yet Alaska boasts a more diverse set of religious beliefs reflecting its wide range of ethnicities and cultures. South Dakota's religious landscape is primarily Christian with a notable presence of Lutheran and Catholic communities, which could be of interest if you're keen on engaging with local religious groups.
Education Guide When Moving from Alaska to South Dakota
Moving between states can be a big decision, especially when it comes to educational opportunities for you or your family. To help with this transition, we've created a comparison chart to better understand what the comparisons are between school options in Alaska and South Dakota. This guide aims to give you a clear understanding of the educational landscape in both states.
| Alaska | South Dakota |
|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Pacific UniversitySouth Dakota State University University of South Dakota Dakota State University | |
Top 3 Elementary Schools Aurora Elementary (Anchorage) Northern Lights ABC School (Anchorage) Scenic Park Elementary (Anchorage)Challenge Center (Sioux Falls) Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls) Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls) | |
Top 3 Middle Schools Mears Middle School (Anchorage) Romig Middle School (Anchorage) Mirror Lake Middle School (Chugiak)George S. Mickelson Middle School (Brookings) Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls) Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls) | |
Top 3 High Schools West High School (Anchorage) South Anchorage High School (Anchorage) Dimond High School (Anchorage)Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls) Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls) Washington High School (Sioux Falls) | |
Top 3 private high schools Grace Christian School (Anchorage) Anchorage Christian Schools (Anchorage) Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls) Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Roncalli High School (Aberdeen) | |
Top 3 private K-12 schools Pacific Northern Academy (Anchorage) Birchwood Christian School (Chugiak) Lumen Christi High School (Anchorage)Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls) Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown) Dakota Christian School (Corsica) | |
Top 3 School Districts Anchorage School District Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School DistrictSioux Falls School District Brookings School District Watertown School District | |
When looking closer at educational opportunities in Alaska and South Dakota, it's evident that both states offer a range of quality options from elementary through to high school. In Alaska, the Anchorage School District stands out for its variety of top-rated schools, reflecting the city's diverse educational needs. South Dakota boasts its own strengths, particularly in Sioux Falls, where the Sioux Falls School District offers robust programs across a number of high achieving schools. For those considering private education, both states provide reputable private high schools and K-12 schools, ensuring that families have multiple choices for their children's education. Choosing between states, it's essential to consider specific needs such as college preparation, special programs, or the type of school environment that will best suit your family.
