Best Minnesota to South Dakota Movers and Practical Moving Guide

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MN to SD Moving Specialists

Moving from state to state marks the start of an exciting chapter in your life, a journey filled with new possibilities and adventures. Leaving behind the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the Mount Rushmore State means exchanging Minnesota's icy winters and warm, neighborly culture for South Dakota's rugged landscapes, historical landmarks, and the promise of a more serene lifestyle. Understanding the importance of this transition, it's crucial to choose trusted and reliable professional movers to ensure your journey begins on the right foot. At Great Guys Moving, we leverage an unbiased ranking algorithm to identify the best movers in the country, making sure you have the support of the very best on your move from Minnesota to South Dakota.

Minnesota iconArrow iconSouth Dakota icon

Best Minnesota to South Dakota Moving Companies

Company NameRating QuestionBBB RatingLicenseContact
Metro Movers9.50NRAuthorized For PropertyContact
General Expert Moving Service LLC9.28NRAuthorized For HHGContact
Goal Line Moving9.27A+Authorized For HHGContact
Exercise Equipment Installation: EEI9.20NRActiveContact
Dial-A-Move Inc.8.94A+Authorized For HHGContact
Two Men and a Truck8.91A+Authorized For HHGContact
Phone (800) 787-5428
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Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from South Dakota to Minnesota guide.

6 Best MN to SD Moving Companies

These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)

Metro Movers Logo
Exceptional9.50/10
based on 1,008+ data points

About Metro Movers

Metro Movers, a licensed and insured transport and logistics company in Minnesota, was founded by two childhood friends with a shared vision...Read More >>

Services

  • Residential Moving
  • Business Moving
  • Long Distance Residential Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/6/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3742268 / 1503884

Authorized For Property

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans3
Registered Drivers3
Total Annual Miles Moved16,000 (2023)
View Full Review
1
General Expert Moving Service LLC Logo
Exceptional9.28/10
based on 528+ data points

About General Expert Moving Service LLC

General Expert Moving Service LLC is a family-owned moving company based in Minnesota. It started with two brothers and a pickup truck back ...Read More >>

Services

  • Cheap moving
  • Local moving
  • Long-distance moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/5/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2846187 / 1285395

Authorized For HHG

Carrier/Shipper

Registered Trucks/Vans5
Registered Drivers24
Total Annual Miles Moved30,000 (2024)
View Full Review
2
Goal Line Moving Logo
Exceptional9.27/10
based on 664+ data points

About Goal Line Moving

Located in Ham Lake, MN, Goal Line Moving is a family-owned and operated company with four years in the business and over 3,000 local moves....Read More >>

Services

  • Local Moving
  • Commercial Moving
  • Packing Services

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/5/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2926126 / 1088400

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans3
Registered Drivers6
Total Annual Miles Moved60,000 (2024)
View Full Review
3
Exercise Equipment Installation: EEI Logo
Exceptional
claimed company icon
9.20/10
based on 331+ data points

About Exercise Equipment Installation: EEI

Exercise Equipment Installation (EEI) has been providing quality service since 1995, specializing in professional and reliable disassembly, ...Read More >>

Services

  • Exercise Equipment Moving
  • Exercise Equipment Disassembly
  • Exercise Equipment Assembly

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 3/14/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

3914686 / -

Active

CARRIER

Registered Trucks/Vans1
Registered Drivers-
Total Annual Miles Moved-
View Full Review
4
Dial-A-Move Inc. Logo
Superb8.94/10
based on 483+ data points

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

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/6/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

885778 / 386322

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans9
Registered Drivers6
Total Annual Miles Moved50,000 (2022)
View Full Review
5
Two Men and a Truck Logo
Superb8.91/10
based on 843+ data points

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

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/5/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2575221 / 904586

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers7
Total Annual Miles Moved170,000 (2022)
View Full Review
6
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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 Minnesota to South Dakota

Moving from one state to another is a significant life change that brings both opportunities and challenges. This comparison aims to provide an honest reflection of the good and the bad attributes of relocating from Minnesota to South Dakota , offering insight into how life might change. By contrasting Minnesota's cons against South Dakota's pros and vice versa, these charts aim to give you a well-rounded perspective on your potential new home.

CONs
PROs
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Colder winters
  • Higher taxes
  • More traffic
  • Fewer national parks
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Milder winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Less congestion
  • More natural beauty
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Smaller cities
  • Less cultural venues
  • Fewer industries
  • Fewer parks
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Larger cities
  • Rich arts scene
  • More job opportunities
  • Lush green spaces

When considering a move from Minnesota to South Dakota, it's essential to weigh the broader range of job opportunities and vibrant arts scene you might be accustomed to against South Dakota's appeal of less congestion and lower cost of living. South Dakota boasts natural attractions like Badlands National Park and the Custer State Park, offering stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, a stark contrast to the urban parks and arts venues like the Walker Art Center in Minnesota. Additionally, South Dakota's tax benefits, including no state income tax, present a significant financial advantage, although this might come at the expense of access to larger city amenities and certain job markets prevalent in Minnesota.

Minnesota vs. South Dakota Food Guide

Food not only satisfies our hunger but significantly contributes to our understanding of a place's culture and the happiness quotient of living there. In this guide, we'll embark on a tasty journey through a comparison of the local cuisine between Minnesota & South Dakota to help you get a savory glimpse of what both states have to offer gastronomically as you plan your move.

MinnesotaSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemHotdishChislic
Most popular meat dishWild Rice BurgerPheasant
Most popular street food itemMini DoughnutsIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodGrain BowlsVegan Indian Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
    • Spoon and Stable
    • Manny's Steakhouse
    • Matt's Bar
    • Phillips Avenue Diner
    • Queen City Bakery
    • Miner Brewing Co.
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

While Minnesota prides itself on its traditional Hotdish and innovative Wild Rice Burgers, South Dakota's culinary scene stands out with its unique offering of Chislic and Pheasant dishes. In Minnesota, the bustling streets of Downtown Minneapolis are where you can indulge in Mini Doughnuts and Grain Bowls that cater to the vegan palette. Meanwhile, South Dakota brings the flavors of its rich indigenous culture with Indian Tacos found at local fairs and Sioux Falls' Phillips Avenue. The iconic restaurants like Spoon and Stable in Minnesota and Phillips Avenue Diner in South Dakota not only offer you a taste of local delicacies but also a glimpse into the states' souls.

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Minnesota vs. South Dakota Real Estate & Living Facts

When considering a move, comparing the real estate landscapes of your current Minnesota habitat against potential South Dakota opportunities is essential. Understanding differences in housing costs, architecture, and livability plays a pivotal role in making an informed decision. Let’s delve into how these two states stack up.

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod, RanchRanch, Split Foyer
Walkability 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingHardwood floors, WaterfrontSpacious lot, Privacy

Moving from Minnesota to South Dakota, you'll find the housing market quite attractive, notably with lower median home prices and monthly rents. South Dakota's emphasis on ranch and split foyer architectural styles caters to those seeking spacious, ground-level living environments. While Minnesota offers a higher walkability and urban lifestyle score, reflecting its more densely populated areas and emphasis on amenity-rich neighborhoods, South Dakota boasts spacious lots and privacy, a testament to its more laid-back, rural charm. For biking enthusiasts or those used to an urban lifestyle, Minnesota's architecture and community planning might be more appealing. Meanwhile, South Dakota offers an enticing prospect for those prioritizing space and a quieter setting.

Minnesota vs. South Dakota Weather Considerations

When planning a move from Minnesota to South Dakota, it's essential to understand how the weather patterns in South Dakota compare to those in Minnesota. This comparison will help you adjust your lifestyle and prepare for the climate changes between these two states.

Summer icon
83°F / 63°F

Minnesota

85°F / 62°F

South Dakota

Average Summer High/Low (°F)

Winter icon
24°F / 8°F

Minnesota

31°F / 10°F

South Dakota

Average Winter High/Low (°F)

Rainfall icon
27

Minnesota

20

South Dakota

Annual Rainfall (Inches)

Snowfall icon
52

Minnesota

39

South Dakota

Annual Snowfall (Inches)

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Dakota
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Natural DisastersTornadoes, BlizzardsTornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

While both Minnesota and South Dakota enjoy four distinct seasons, it's valuable to note the subtle differences. South Dakota typically offers slightly warmer winters and more sunny days annually, which may influence your outdoor activities and energy costs. The lower average humidity in South Dakota might also provide a more comfortable summer climate compared to Minnesota. Understanding these variances can help you better prepare for seasonal activities, home maintenance, and health considerations related to allergies or sensitivities to climate changes.

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Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Minnesota to South Dakota

When planning a move from one state to another, it's vital to grasp the financial landscape you're stepping into. This comparison will shine a light on the money and finance differences between Minnesota and South Dakota, providing a clearer picture of what to expect in terms of living costs, taxes, and economic opportunities.

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$82,338$69,728
Cost of Living Index98.7594.1
State Income Tax5.35 - 9.850
Avg. Property Tax1.081.22
Avg. Sales Tax6.886.40
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Retail, ManufacturingFinance, Retail, Healthcare
AffluenceModerately affluentLess affluent
PovertyLowerComparable
HomelessnessLowerLower

Relocating from Minnesota to South Dakota, you'll notice a significant difference in finances. Firstly, the absence of a state income tax in South Dakota can be appealing, potentially offsetting its lower average household income compared to Minnesota. However, it's essential to consider the cost of living in South Dakota is substantially lower, which may balance the income difference. The property tax rate is slightly higher in South Dakota, but the lower cost of living and sales tax might make everyday living more affordable. Additionally, while both states boast robust healthcare sectors, South Dakota's finance and retail industries offer unique job opportunities not as prevalent in Minnesota, influencing your employment prospects and economic experience in your new home state.

Minnesota vs. South Dakota Political & Religious Comparison

In this section, we'll provide a quick, at-a-glance snapshot to understand the differences you'll encounter when moving from Minnesota to South Dakota. This comparison will specifically highlight the political and religious makeup between Minnesota & South Dakota , giving you a better sense of the community you'll be joining.

MinnesotaSouth Dakota
Political Make-upMixed; leans DemocraticConservative; Republican
Local PoliticsDiverse, urban areas tend to be more liberalMostly conservative, with local variations
ReligionLutheran, Catholic, diverse religious communitiesLutheran, Catholic, with a smaller range of diversity

When you move from Minnesota to South Dakota, you'll notice a shift in the political landscape. While Minnesota's political makeup is more balanced, with its urban areas leaning towards liberal policies, South Dakota presents a more uniformly conservative stance across the state. In terms of religious makeup, both states share a strong Lutheran and Catholic presence, but Minnesota offers a broader diversity of religious communities. This reflects not just in the places of worship available but also in the social and cultural activities that are organized around these communities. Such contrasts between the states might influence your social interactions and community involvement in South Dakota.

Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to South Dakota

Moving states can bring about a myriad of changes, especially when it comes to educational opportunities for you or your family. To help you make an informed decision, we've compared school and education options between Minnesota and South Dakota. This comparison will allow you to better understand the differences in school options between Minnesota and South Dakota.

MinnesotaSouth Dakota

Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)

University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University
University of St. Thomas
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University

Top 3 Elementary Schools

Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka)
Greenwood Elementary (Plymouth)
Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven)
Challenge Center (Sioux Falls)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)

Top 3 Middle Schools

Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth)
Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka)
Eden Prairie Central Middle School (Eden Prairie)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Mickelson Middle School (Brookings)
Yankton Middle School (Yankton)

Top 3 High School Schools

Edina High School (Edina)
Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka)
Wayzata High School (Plymouth)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)

Top 3 private high schools

Breck School (Golden Valley)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
St. Paul Academy (St. Paul)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Roncalli High School (Aberdeen)

Top 3 private K-12 schools

The International School of Minnesota (Eden Prairie)
Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul)
Breck School (Golden Valley)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)
Roncalli Catholic High School (Aberdeen)

Top 3 School Districts

Minnetonka Public School District
Wayzata Public Schools
Eden Prairie Schools
School District of Sioux Falls
Brookings School District
Yankton School District

Both Minnesota and South Dakota offer a range of educational options that cater to diverse needs. For instance, in Minnesota, institutions like the University of Minnesota attract seniors from all over the state due to its wide range of programs and resources. Similarly, South Dakota State University is a preferred choice for many seniors in South Dakota, offering strong agricultural programs. On the K-12 front, schools like Scenic Heights Elementary in Minnetonka and Challenge Center in Sioux Falls stand out in their respective states for their innovative approaches to education. Private schools such as Breck School in Minnesota and O'Gorman High School in South Dakota are known for their rigorous academics and comprehensive extracurricular programs. These distinctions underscore the importance of evaluating educational opportunities when considering a move.

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