Are you planning to move from Texas to South Dakota (SD)? Whether it is a personal move or a professional one, South Dakota will treat you with several pleasant surprises. South Dakota is approximately 1,000 miles away from Texas. Hence, expect a change in scenery, laws, lifestyle, and more.
If you are moving from Texas to South Dakota, here are the top 10 things you should know before moving. Let’s dive deeper.
1. South Dakota has no state income tax
One of the best parts of moving to South Dakota is the absence of income tax. This means individuals do not have to pay tax on their income. They can keep it all to themselves. Furthermore, the state also does not levy a corporate income tax.
However, it does have a state sales tax of 4.50% and a combined (state + local) sales tax of 6.50%. This rate is still lower than the combined sales tax in Texas, which stands at 8.20%.
2. South Dakota and Texas have nearly the same cost of living
Moving to South Dakota won’t be too heavy on your pocket. Though it depends on the specific city you are moving to, SD and Texas cities have nearly the same cost of living.
As per the World Population Review, the cost of living in SD is 93.80, whereas in Texas, it is 93. If we look further, the cost of living in South Dakota is 6% lower than the US national average. If we compare the city-wise cost of living, some cities in South Dakota have a higher cost of living than Texas than others. For instance, Sioux Falls, SD, is considered 4.3% more expensive than San Antonio, TX, whereas it is 9.5% less expensive than Dallas, TX.
3. South Dakota is colder than Texas
Though South Dakota has two zones separated by the Missouri River, both zones experience harsher winters than Texas.
The only difference lies in the extent of warmth during the summer. While the east zone experiences moderately humid summers throughout the summer, the west zone is semiarid with sunnier days and less rainfall. The northeastern SD is, therefore, colder than the southwest.
On average, in the northeast, the temperatures drop to 10 to 15 degrees F, whereas, in the southwest, the temperature in January reaches an average of 25 degrees F. In the summer, the average temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees F.
4. South Dakota has a low population density
The population of South Dakota is 97% below that of Texas. The population of South Dakota is around 909,3247 as per the last census of 2022, whereas that of Texas is 30,029,572. This makes South Dakota a suitable place to move to for those looking to get away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the city. You may find the difference in patterns in the lifestyle in SD and would find it more towards a semi-urban lifestyle compared to Texas.
It’s a slow-paced city and allows you to live a satisfied life. You may still find many dining, entertainment, and recreational opportunities.
5. Housing in South Dakota is cheaper
If you wanted to have your own house in Texas, you could fulfill your dream in South Dakota. The cost of housing in South Dakota is 2% cheaper than in Texas. The median house value is 17% lower than the national average. The median house value in South Dakota is $296,925, whereas in Texas, it is $302,773.
Even renting a house is affordable in South Dakota as compared to Texas. The median rent in South Dakota is $747, whereas in Texas, it is $1,045. If you are moving to South Dakota with a lot of past savings, it’s much easier to buy or rent a property in South Dakota.
6. South Dakota has equitable job opportunities
Do the employers in South Dakota pay enough? According to the US News and World Report survey, South Dakota is ranked 2nd among the top 10 best states for jobs.
South Dakota provides a fair share of job opportunities in every sector, from healthcare, tourism, management, and agriculture to others. The average income of South Dakota residents is $37,149. Ensure your new employer offers at least a median income to accept the deal and move to South Dakota. Most jobs are available in the healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors.
The unemployment rate in South Dakota is just 3%, with a median household income of $69,728.
7. South Dakota has the fastest commute times
Unbelievably true, you won’t have to be stuck in traffic for hours in South Dakota. In fact, it has the fastest commute times in the US, with just 17.4 minutes. The state has few public transportation options, making owning a car or a private vehicle mandatory.
Since the roads are less congested, driving in South Dakota is more fun and less hassle. For a change, you can use South Dakota’s Rapid Transit System or hire a cab to commute from one place to another.
8. Get on an adventure spree in South Dakota
South Dakota has beautiful scenic views and a lot to explore for adventurers and travel enthusiasts. From the Black Hills and Badlands to the Missouri River and Glacial Lakes and Prairies, South Dakota will keep you entertained.
When in South Dakota, don’t forget to cover the great eight tourist destinations that include:
- Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills
- Badlands National Park in the Badlands
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Custer State Park
- Jewel Cave in Custer
- Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs
- Missouri River
Besides nature, you can also explore museums, art galleries, concerts, and other historic sites in South Dakota. If you want a quick weekend date, you can visit water and fun parks. South Dakota also offers a lot of other recreational spots perfect for family escapades, like bowling alleys, mini golf, arcades, go-kart racing, escape rooms, casinos, and more.
9. South Dakota provides a great culinary experience
Like any other state, South Dakota residents relish some dishes more than others. You should not miss out on a few food options when you move to South Dakota.
Some of the popular ones include chislic (deep-fried meat kebabs), Kuchen (German pastry), Kolaches (light and flaky pie), Wojapi (dipping sauce served with fry bread), Indian tacos, mocha cakes, lefse, buffalo burgers, and more.
Chislic is, in fact, the state’s national food and a must-try. Sioux Falls is considered the best food city in South Dakota. Some of the best eateries for eating chislic include Urban Chislic and Botski’s. For Indian tacos and buffalo burgers, you can try the Watecha Bowl.
10. South Dakota is also one of the safest places to live
To add to the list of perks of moving to South Dakota, it is also one of the 17 states that have shown a fall in the number of violent crimes. Among the 41 states, South Dakota ranks 17th in violent crime rates and 20th in property crime rates.
It also has lower gun violence (8%) than the rest of the United States (12%). Some of the safest cities in South Dakota include Brandon, Brookings, Vermillion, and Watertown.
Considering moving from Texas to South Dakota? Ward North American is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition for you. With over 40 years of expertise in the moving industry, we understand the key elements for a stress-free relocation. Contact us today to start planning your move or to gather more information.
