Best Washington to South Dakota Movers and Practical Moving Guide

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WA to SD Moving Specialists

Moving from one state to another marks the beginning of an exciting chapter in your life. You're leaving behind Washington, known for its lush evergreen landscapes and vibrant metropolis, to embrace South Dakota, "The Mount Rushmore State," with its sprawling prairies and iconic monuments. Acknowledging the vast distance and the importance of your belongings, it's crucial to choose trusted and reliable professional movers for this journey, and that's where our expertise at Great Guys Moving comes into play, ensuring your transition is as seamless as possible.

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Best Washington to South Dakota Moving Companies

Company NameRating QuestionBBB RatingLicenseContact
Seattle Moves & More9.54A+Authorized For HHGContact
John Volken Academy Movers9.33NRAuthorized For HHGContact
First Due Movers9.25A+Authorized For Property, HHGContact
Help-U-Move9.21A+Authorized For PropertyContact
Dial-A-Move Inc.8.92A+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 Washington guide.

6 Best WA to SD Moving Companies

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

S
Exceptional9.54/10
based on 1,243+ data points

About Seattle Moves & More

Based in Seattle, Seattle Moves & More is a licensed, insured, and premier moving company in Seattle, WA, known for its exceptional services...Read More >>

Services

  • Residential & Commercial Moving
  • Long-Distance Relocation
  • Furniture Packing and Unpacking

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/18/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2962927 / 5796

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans3
Registered Drivers2
Total Annual Miles Moved31,000 (2023)
View Full Review
1
John Volken Academy Movers Logo
Exceptional9.33/10
based on 1,571+ data points

About John Volken Academy Movers

John Volken Academy Movers is a not-for-profit moving company that helps people move across Western and Eastern Washington. This local busin...Read More >>

Services

  • Local Moving
  • Commercial Moving
  • Residential Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2261169 / 1666977

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers8
Total Annual Miles Moved200 (2015)
View Full Review
2
First Due Movers Logo
Exceptional9.25/10
based on 1,542+ data points

About First Due Movers

First Due Movers is based in Preston, Washington, but offers nationwide moving services. The company is actually owned by local Washington f...Read More >>

Services

  • Residential Moves
  • Commercial Moves
  • Long-Distance Moves

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

1990914 / 865709

Authorized For Property, HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans12
Registered Drivers20
Total Annual Miles Moved205,000 (2022)
View Full Review
3
Help-U-Move Logo
Exceptional9.21/10
based on 1,091+ data points

About Help-U-Move

Help-U-Move is a veteran-owned, locally operated small business in Pasco that handles over 4,000 moves yearly. It has provided residential a...Read More >>

Services

  • Local Moving
  • Statewide Moving
  • Out of State Moving

Interstate Moving License

Circle Check
Authorized for Interstate Moves(last checked 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

482337 / 252568

Authorized For Property

Carrier/Shipper

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers20
Total Annual Miles Moved5,000 (2022)
View Full Review
4
Dial-A-Move Inc. Logo
Superb8.92/10
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 12/18/2024)

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 12/17/2024)

USDOT / MC

Status

Entity Type

2575221 / 904586

Authorized For HHG

Carrier

Registered Trucks/Vans6
Registered Drivers7
Total Annual Miles Moved180,000 (2023)
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 Washington to South Dakota

Moving across states can be a complex decision that involves weighing different factors to make the best choice for you and your family. This guide aims to provide an honest reflection of the good and bad attributes of relocating from Washington to South Dakota . Through comparative charts, we explore the pros and cons of each state to help ensure your decision is well-informed.

CONs
PROs
Washington iconWashington
  • Higher cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Heavy traffic
  • Less sunny days
  • Higher taxes
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less crowded
  • Less traffic
  • More sunny days
  • Lower taxes
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota
  • Flatter terrain
  • Less diversity
  • Smaller tech industry
  • Landlocked
  • Fewer cultural venues
Washington iconWashington
  • Lush landscapes
  • Diverse culture
  • Vibrant tech scene
  • Ocean access
  • Rich in arts

Washington's lush landscapes, with places like Olympic National Park, provide a green haven that contrasts with South Dakota's more open and expansive, flatter terrain, exemplified by the stretches of the Badlands National Park. The vibrant culture and tech industry present in Washington cities, such as Seattle's Pike Place Market and the bustling tech hubs, stand in stark contrast to the more laid-back, less crowded experiences found in South Dakota's towns, like the historic streets of Deadwood. Despite the differences, South Dakota offers its own unique charms, with attractions like Mount Rushmore and less traffic, making daily commutes and travel more manageable.

Washington vs. South Dakota Food Guide

This comparison of the local cuisine between Washington & South Dakota highlights the distinct flavors and food scenes you'll encounter. Understanding the culinary landscape is vital for immersing yourself in the local culture of your new home.

WashingtonSouth Dakota
Most iconic local food itemSalmonChislic
Most popular meat dishGrilled SalmonPheasant
Most popular street food itemTaco TrucksIndian Tacos
Most popular vegan foodAcai BowlWild Rice Bowl
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Canlis
  • The Herbfarm
  • Mamnoon
  • Carnaval Brazilian Grill
  • Crawford's Bar & Grill
  • Phillips Avenue Diner
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

Moving from Washington to South Dakota, you'll trade the Pacific Northwest's seafood-heavy menu for the heartland flavors of the Great Plains. In Washington, places like Pike Place Market in Seattle offer an abundance of fresh seafood like salmon, a staple food item, and a vibrant street food scene brimming with taco trucks. In contrast, South Dakota introduces you to chislic, skewered cubed meat which is a local favorite, and the unique taste of Indian tacos found in spots across the state. South Dakota, with its laid-back food scene, offers a change of pace, but you can still find a burgeoning food movement in cities like Sioux Falls, home to Crawford's Bar & Grill and Carnaval Brazilian Grill, which offer local tastes and comfort food.

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Washington vs. South Dakota Real Estate & Living Facts

When considering a move, comparing the real estate landscapes between Washington and South Dakota is crucial. This comparison gives you a comprehensive overview of what to expect in terms of living conditions and lifestyle in these states.

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Dakota
Typical Architecture StyleModern, CraftsmanRanch, Traditional
Walkability 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingEnergy-efficient appliances, Hardwood floorsSpacious backyards, Natural scenery

The housing market significantly delineates the lifestyle you may lead in Washington as opposed to South Dakota. In Washington, the higher median home price and rent reflect its robust urban life, complemented by modern and Craftsman architectural styles. The state scores higher in walkability and bikeability, indicating a more compact and eco-friendly environment. The emphasis on energy-efficient appliances and hardwood floors in real estate listings underlines the state's preference for modern, sustainable living. Conversely, South Dakota, with its affordable housing options and traditional ranch-style homes, offers a quieter, more spacious living arrangement. Here, the real estate listings often highlight spacious backyards and natural scenery, illustrating a closer connection to outdoor living and the importance of personal space.

Washington vs. South Dakota Weather Considerations

When relocating from one region to another, acquainting yourself with the climatic contrasts is vital. This guide is designed to demonstrate how the weather in Washington and South Dakota diversifies, assisting you in preparing better for your move.

Summer icon
75°F/55°F

Washington

85°F/60°F

South Dakota

Average Summer High/Low (°F)

Winter icon
47°F/36°F

Washington

30°F/10°F

South Dakota

Average Winter High/Low (°F)

Rainfall icon
38

Washington

20

South Dakota

Annual Rainfall (Inches)

Snowfall icon
20

Washington

44

South Dakota

Annual Snowfall (Inches)

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Dakota
Air QualityGoodVariable
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesTornadoes, Blizzards
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦

The transition from Washington to South Dakota comes with significant weather changes that might impact your daily life. South Dakota enjoys more sunshine days annually compared to Washington, but it also experiences a harsher winter with lower temperatures and more snowfall. The humidity in Washington is notably higher, which impacts the feel of both the heat and cold. Furthermore, moving to South Dakota means preparing for different natural disasters, such as tornadoes and blizzards, contrasting with the earthquakes and volcanoes more commonly associated with Washington. Understanding these differences prepares you for a smoother transition in terms of clothing, heating, cooling, and even allergy medications needed.

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

When planning a move from one state to another, comparing financial aspects such as income, taxes, and living expenses is crucial. This comparison will help you understand what to expect in terms of money and finance when moving from Washington to South Dakota, offering insight into how your financial situation might change.

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Dakota
Avg. Household Income$91,306$69,728
Cost of Living Index104.194.1
State Income Tax00
Avg. Property Tax0.931.22
Avg. Sales Tax9.176.40
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, AgricultureHealthcare, Finance & Banking, Agriculture
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessHighLow

Despite a higher average household income in Washington, its cost of living index and sales tax are significantly higher than those in South Dakota. The absence of state income tax in both states offers a unique financial advantage. However, South Dakota boasts a lower cost of living with a more moderate affluence level, meaning your money might go further there in terms of day-to-day expenses and housing. The diversity in top industries between the two states reveals potential job market adjustments you might need to consider. Lastly, the lower levels of poverty and homelessness in South Dakota suggest potentially beneficial social and economic conditions for newcomers.

Washington vs. South Dakota Political & Religious Comparison

This guide offers a quick look at the comparison of the politics and the religious landscape between Washington & South Dakota , providing an insight into the characteristic distinctions of the residents in these states.

WashingtonSouth Dakota
Political Make-upLean LiberalLean Conservative
Local PoliticsDemocratic Majority in urban areasRepublican Majority statewide
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedMore religiously affiliated, Christian majority

While Washington is known for its liberal leanings, especially in urban areas like Seattle, South Dakota presents a conservative landscape with a Republican majority statewide. This reflects not only in the political decisions but also in local policies and everyday life. Religious affiliations in South Dakota are stronger with a predominantly Christian orientation, in contrast to Washington where there is a higher percentage of residents identifying as non-religious. This could indicate a contrasting social atmosphere that you might experience, particularly in community engagement and local events. Understanding these differences can help you better prepare for your move and integrate into your new community.

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to South Dakota

Deciding to move can bring about many questions, especially regarding your children's education. To help you make an informed decision, we've compared schools and education in Washington and South Dakota. The purpose of this chart is to better understand what the comparisons are between school options in Washington and South Dakota, from elementary through to high school and beyond.

WashingtonSouth Dakota

Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)

University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
South Dakota State University
University of South Dakota
Dakota State University

Top 3 Elementary Schools

Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah)
Challenger Elementary (Issaquah)
Rosa Parks Elementary (Redmond)
Discovery Elementary (Sioux Falls)
Endeavor Elementary (Harrisburg)
Fred Assam Elementary (Sioux Falls)

Top 3 Middle Schools

International School (Bellevue)
Pacific Cascade Middle School (Issaquah)
Pine Lake Middle School (Sammamish)
Patrick Henry Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Edison Middle School (Sioux Falls)
Whittier Middle School (Sioux Falls)

Top 3 High School Schools

International School (Bellevue)
Newport High School (Bellevue)
Lakeside School (Seattle)
Roosevelt High School (Sioux Falls)
Lincoln High School (Sioux Falls)
Washington High School (Sioux Falls)

Top 3 private high schools

Lakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)
Sioux Falls Christian Schools (Sioux Falls)
St. Thomas More High School (Rapid City)

Top 3 private K-12 schools

The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
The Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Waldorf School (Seattle)
Roncalli Catholic Schools (Aberdeen)
Dakota Christian School (Corsica)
Great Plains Lutheran High School (Watertown)

Top 3 School Districts

Issaquah School District
Mercer Island School District
Bellevue School District
Sioux Falls School District
Harrisburg School District
Brandon Valley School District

In comparing school options, you'll find that Washington tends to offer a more diversified educational landscape with a strong focus on STEM, thanks to its proximity to major tech companies. The Issaquah and Bellevue School Districts are particularly sought after for their high academic standards and innovative programs. On the other hand, South Dakota provides a strong sense of community and attention to traditional education values. The Sioux Falls School District stands out for its comprehensive programs that cater to a wide range of interests and abilities. Both states offer excellent opportunities, but the best choice depends on your family's specific needs and goals.

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