Cost to Move From South Dakota to Pennsylvania
If you’re planning a move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania, expect to spend anywhere from $900 to $7,600.
How much you have to fork over on your move to the Keystone State will vary depending on several factors, including how much stuff you have and when you plan to move. The way you decide to move from South Dakota — whether full-service, DIY, or somewhere in between — also affects pricing.
In this guide, I break down the key factors that impact the cost of an South Dakota to Pennsylvania move so you can budget realistically. I also share tips to keep your costs low and help you avoid surprise fees if you hire Pennsylvania movers.
Going the other way? Check out our moving from Pennsylvania to South Dakota guide.
Cost to Move From South Dakota to Pennsylvania
It’s time to haul your furniture, photos, and memories 1,344 miles from South Dakota to a new home in Pennsylvania.
Hiring movers to handle the heavy lifting from Pennsylvania to South Dakota ranges from $900 to $7,600.
South Dakota movers charge $182 per hour on average to pack, securely load, and safely haul your belongings to your new home.
The chart below will give you an estimate for your move to the Keystone State.
| Move size | Moving company | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,418 – $5,663 | $814 – $1,556 |
| 2 – 3 bedrooms | $3,266 – $7,553 | $880 – $1,851 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,657 – $10,403 | $1,107 – $2,258 |
Cost Factors When Moving From South Dakota to Pennsylvania
The main things that affect your costs for moving from South Dakota to Pennsylvania are:
- Move size: Have a fully-furnished four-bedroom house in South Dakota with a garage chock full of items like lawn mowers and tools? It’ll cost double the amount it would to move a sparsely-furnished studio apartment in Pennsylvania.
- Time of year: As with most things, demand has a huge impact on costs. When it comes to moving, the summer season brings glorious weather — and higher prices, since most people want to move when the kids are out of school or when you’re already on vacation. Expect a move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania during the peak summer months to cost 10%–15% more than off-peak moves in the spring or fall due to higher demand.
- Distance: The further you move, the more you should expect to pay. Moving 1,300 miles from Sioux Falls SD, to Philadelphia, PA, could be around 25% more expensive than a shorter 250-mile move within Pennsylvania based on mileage rates.
- DIY vs. pro mover: Handling the move yourself with a rental truck from South Dakota may save 20%–30% over hiring a full-service Pennsylvania mover. But what you save in money, you’ll pay for with your time and effort. With a DIY move, you’ll have to pack, load, and unload everything — yup, even that monster refrigerator and your king size bed.
- Extra services: Need help wrapping a marble table? Have a hot tub you want to bring along? Specialty services like packing or assembly/disassembly by South Dakota movers can add hundreds or even thousands to your Pennsylvania move cost.
Best South Dakota to Pennsylvania Moving Companies
Making an interstate move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania can be stressful, to say the least.
Hiring a reliable, affordable moving company you can trust makes all the difference in having as headache-free an experience as possible.
After extensive research, I found these top-rated movers to be the very best for relocating from South Dakota to Pennsylvania based on reputation, customer reviews, and service quality.
- Safeway Moving: Best Overall Value
- International Van Lines: Best Customer Service
- American Van Lines: Best Industry Reputation
- Air Van northAmerican Van Lines: Best for Complex Moves
- JK Moving Services: Best for High-End Moves
Get Accurate Estimates for Your Move From South Dakota to Pennsylvania
Getting accurate estimates from moving companies is crucial to budgeting and planning your interstate move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania. A quick read-through of moving company reviews will show you how often inaccurate estimations of move size and pricing quotes can lead to dissatisfaction and surprise costs. Avoid vague ballpark estimates that could end up costing you more than expected.
To get a realistic quote for your South Dakota to Pennsylvania move:
- Request an in-home estimate. Estimates over the phone or online are convenient, but they’re less accurate for a move from South Dakota. After all, it’s hard to tell just how much stuff you have, how much it weighs, or how much room it’ll take up in a container. Ask for an in-home or video estimate. Reputable movers will assess your South Dakota belongings in person or virtually for free.
- Ask for a binding/guaranteed estimate. Even if you love surprises, you won’t like the shock of your estimate doubling on moving day. Non-binding estimates can increase after weighing the items at your place in your South Dakota items. A binding estimate locks in the price for your South Dakota to Pennsylvania move so it won’t change at the last minute unless you add more items on moving day. That way you know exactly how much you’ll pay and won’t be blindsided or feel scammed.
- Get quotes from at least three moving companies. If you want to find the best deal for your South Dakota to Pennsylvania move, you need to have something to compare it to. Get several estimates (at least three!) and compare the quoted prices to see who offers the best deal. Beware of very lowball estimates. They may sound great, but there’s probably a reason they’re so much cheaper than competitors — and it’s likely not a good one.
- Read the fine print. Understand what is and isn’t included for your South Dakota to Pennsylvania move to avoid excess fees and surprise charges. Watch for hidden fees like charges for moving belongings up or down stairs or long carry distances (beware if you have a long driveway or tricky access in a city). Ask questions and be sure you know ahead of time whether you need to secure parking permits, elevator access, or handle other logistics to avoid fees.
- Confirm pickup/drop-off dates and locations for your move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania. Ensure they work with your schedule and interstate move.
Living in South Dakota vs. Pennsylvania
Cost of living
| South Dakota | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $761 | $958 |
| Average home cost | $291,081 | $254,802 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,457 | $73,170 |
| Cost of living index | 100 | 99 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% | 3.4% |
| Average sales tax | 6.4% | 6.34% |
| State income tax | 0.0% | 3.07% |
Weather
| Pennsylvania | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Summer high | 83ºF | 85ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 7ºF |
| Annual rain | 44″ | 23″ |
| Annual snow | 38″ | 39″ |
Demographics
| Pennsylvania | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,964,056 | 895,376 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 50-49 | Republican 66-34 |
| Crime index | 19.07 | 24.75 |
FAQs About Moving From South Dakota to Pennsylvania
What are the benefits of moving from South Dakota to Pennsylvania?
Some of the benefits of moving from South Dakota to Pennsylvania
include .
Who regulates interstate moves out of South Dakota?
For interstate moves, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency that oversees all safety regulations for moving companies that handle moves out of South Dakota.
The FMCSA also makes sure all moving companies are registered through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and maintain a USDOT number.
When is the worst time to move to Pennsylvania?
The worst time to move to Pennsylvania is during the summer months, when the weather is at its hottest and moving costs are at their highest due to the peak season.
How far in advance should I book movers from South Dakota to Pennsylvania?
You should book your move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania as far in advance as possible, but the rule of thumb is between three and six months ahead of moving day.
This will help ensure you get the moving date you want, and some companies may even offer an early-bird discount for booking early.
Should I get in-home estimates for a move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania?
It’s a lot easier to get an online estimate for your move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania, but this could cost you in the long run.
Taking a little extra time for an in-home or virtual walkthrough of your home will help ensure your mover accurately quotes you a price based on the amount of items you have and the size and layout of your home.
What’s the cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania?
The cheapest way to move from South Dakota to Pennsylvania is likely to rent a moving truck and handle the move yourself.
While this can save you some money, keep in mind that a DIY move means you’ll be doing the heavy lifting and driving on your own.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of moving, a full-service company, while more expensive, might be the better option.
What should you do when you arrive in Pennsylvania?
Moving is more than just getting your stuff from South Dakota to Pennsylvania. You also need to handle logistics to settle into your new home.
Here’s what to add to your to-do list for a seamless move:
- Forward your mail and change your address for things like banks, credit cards, tax agencies, and insurance companies
- Contact local utility companies in Pennsylvania to get your internet, cable, electricity, water, and gas set up
- Plan for a safe transition by installing a security system, testing smoke detectors, and changing the locks on your new home
- Register your car and visit the Pennsylvania DMV for a new driver’s license
- Plan a housewarming party and start exploring your new neighborhood in Pennsylvania!