Thinking about relocating from NYC to South Dakota and making it your new hometown? If yes, then we assure you of taking the right decision and this article is what you need to read on to know why we have said it. South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore state, is known to be one of the happiest states in the nation.
It offers a strong economy, job opportunities, top-class education options, lower housing costs, low property crime, low housing prices, no income tax, and a lower cost of living, truly making it an ideal place to call home.
The current report says about 70% of NYC residents move to South Dakota every year to excel in their careers and minimize living expenses which they are unable to do in the state. So, if you were wondering whether Mount Rushmore state is the one for you or not, this guide will provide all the important information you must know regarding the state.
You can go through the moving to South Dakota from NYC checklist for a smooth and hassle-free relocation.
Is moving to South Dakota from NYC a good idea?
Moving to South Dakota from NYC can be a smart move because it offers a great quality of life with less expenditure. The state is home to stunning natural beauty, thrilling cultural outlook, less cost of living, and growing job vacancies that drive young professionals to make a worthy relocation.
Is it worth moving to South Dakota from NYC?
It is definitely worth it to relocate to South Dakota from NYC because you will get a lot of tax benefits like not paying the state income tax and getting possible requirements for a small-scale business. The strong economy of South Dakota makes small businesses an ideal environment for growth and prosperity.
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1. Moving Costs To South Dakota From NYC
People move to South Dakota due to its thriving market economy, affordable living, and lovely weather. But how to move to South Dakota, safely from NYC? With the aid of a trustworthy moving company, moving to South Dakota from NYC can be fulfilling and worthy.
The cost of moving huge luggage and stuff through a packers and movers company averages around $1910 and $4950. The expenses to consider while estimating the mover company’s charges include storage, packing services, packing materials, disassembling your furniture, and lifting big objects like a piano.
How much is it to move to South Dakota from NYC?
The average cost of moving to South Dakota from NYC ranges from $1910 to $4950.
2. Cost Of Living Comparison Between SD & NYC
Are New York city people moving to South Dakota? Yes, and one of the primary reasons is because of its lower cost of living. New York is 46.1% more expensive than South Dakota. The average monthly living cost in New York for a family of four is $ 7,800, and that for a single person is $ 5,300.
Whereas in the case of South Dakota, it is $3814 for a family of four and $1730 for a single individual.
Is it cheaper to live in South Dakota or NYC?
It is cheaper to live in South Dakota than in NYC because South Dakota is 46.1% cheaper than NYC. The cost of living in South Dakota is 4% lower than the national average whereas New York’s cost of living is 95% higher than the national average.
Comparison between the cost of living in South Dakota vs.New York City.
Here is a table of comparison between the cost of living in South Dakota versus New York City in 2022. Before comparing any US state with another, we generally consider the US average as 100. This means a value above 100 means the particular index is more expensive than the national average and vice versa.
| Cost of Living Index | New York | South Dakota | Differences |
| Overall expenses | 168.6 | 90.9 | 85.5% more |
| Food & Groceries | 116.6 | 100.1 | 16.5% more |
| Housing (Homeowner) | 294.3 | 81.4 | 261.5% more |
| Median Home Cost | $654,300 | $253,700 | $400,600(157.9% more) |
| Utilities | 150.5 | 96.4 | 56.1% more |
| Transportation | 181.1 | 74.8 | 142.1% more |
| Health | 127.6 | 102.5 | 24.5% more |
| Miscellaneous | 121.2 | 101.9 | 18.9% more |
3. Transportation in South Dakota Vs NYC
South Dakota has Interstate highways that are Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 running from east to west and north to south respectively to connect every small town and rural road present in the state. You can also access car rentals in the big cities in South Dakota. South Dakota’s public transportation services like buses are also helpful to move anywhere in the state.
Whereas, in New York, people use the bus system and the city’s rail to move within the state. This public transportation system is governed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority which operates 24 × 7 at a premium rate. Besides this, residents and visitors also prefer to use the iconic yellow taxi, ferry, bicycle, and Subway to travel around the cities.
Which state has the best public transportation South Dakota or NYC?
Both South Dakota and NYC have the best public transportation services. South Dakota’s bus fares are cheaper than NYC’s. A single individual pays $2.75 per trip in NYC whereas it is only $1.50 in South Dakota.
4. Climate & Weather South Dakota vs NYC
New York City has a humid subtropical climate whereas South Dakota has a continental-type climate with 4 different seasons. New York gives its residents a hot and humid summer, cold and breezy winters, and a lot of rainfall throughout the year.
On the other hand, South Dakota gives the city semi-humid and warm summers, frizzy and dry winters, and plenty of snowfall of about 38.4 inches per year. Snowfall in South Dakota remains higher than New York’s as well as the US average.
Does South Dakota or NYC have the best climate?
South Dakota has the best climate than NYC having four distinct seasons. It has 6.2% fewer sunny and 74.5% fewer rainy days than NYC.
Is NYC more humid than South Dakota?
The summers in New York City are more humid than in south Dakota. However, there are certain months in South Dakota with high humidity and other months with moderate humidity along with the mild wind.
Difference in Climate condition in South Dakota vs NYC
The comparison of climate and weather between South Dakota vs NYC are listed below:
| Weather Condition | South Dakota | New York |
| Sunny Days Per Year | 211 days | 224 days |
| Rainfall Per Year | 18.2 inches | 46.6 inches |
| Snowfall Per Year | 38 inches | 25.3 inches |
| Summer High | 85.3 degrees around July | 84.2 degrees during July |
| Winter Low | 14.2 degree low around January | 21.6 degree low around January |
| Most pleasant months in the year | August, July and June | September, June and May |
| Least pleasant months in the year | January and December | January and February |
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5. Education in South Dakota & NYC
The public education system in South Dakota is organized into districts with superintendents, and school boards are chosen locally. Until 2022, there were 714 schools and 169 school districts serving 145,726 students in South Dakota. In the 2021–2022 academic year, the graduation rate for the entire state was 84 percent.
The state is home to some of the notable universities which include the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and Dakota State University. New York, on the other hand, came in 13th place overall with a score of 57.37.
The world’s most extensive education system, academic institutions, research centers, and libraries are located in New York City. Some of the major universities of New York that welcome overseas students from across the globe include New York University, Cornell University, and Columbia University.
Which state has the best Education South Dakota or NYC?
New York City has a better education system than South Dakota. New York ranks #2 in the top 50 best states to be a student in the US in 2022 whereas South Dakota ranks #29 in the list.
Does South Dakota or NYC have the best institutes?
New York has 13 best institutes and universities for 2023 than South Dakota.
6. Taxes Comparison South Dakota & NYC
South Dakota does not have an income tax. It has a combined 6.40% of local and state sales tax rate and 1.08% of the property tax rate. On the other hand, NYC has an income tax rate of 4%-10.9% which depends on the taxable income. It has a combined 8.5% of local and state sales tax rates and 1.62% of the average property tax rate.
If we go on comparing the tax rates between South Dakota and New York City, South Dakota has lower tax rates than NYC.
Which state is tax-friendly: South Dakota or NYC?
South Dakota is a tax-friendly state as it doesn’t have an income tax and has lower sales and property tax rates than NYC.
Tax rates comparison – South Dakota or NYC
Here is a list of average tax rates comparison between South Dakota & NYC imposed by their local and state government.
| Particulars | South Dakota | New York |
| Sales Tax (local + state) | 6.4% | 8.5% |
| Income Tax (individual + corporate) | Nil | 4% – 10.9% |
| Gas Tax | $0.28 per gallon | $0.33 per gallon |
| Property Tax | 1.08% | 1.62% |
7. South Dakota Vs NYC Population
With a population of around 19.68 million people distributed over 141,297 sq km, NYC marks one of the most densely populated states in the United States. Whereas, with a land area of 199,729 sq km, South Dakota is home to 9.09 lakh people sparsely living all over the state.
This means South Dakota is 65% larger than New York. The shape of South Dakota is situated close to the center of New York.
How many NYC People move to South Dakota?
About 40-50% of people move from NYC to South Dakota in search of jobs, fewer tax rates, lower cost of living, and so on.
Is South Dakota the same size as NYC?
South Dakota is 65% larger than New York.
Comparison Table of Population – South Dakota vs. NYC
| State | Population | Surface Area |
| New York | 19,685,913 | 141,297 km2 |
| South Dakota | 909,000 | 199,729 km2 |
Source: https://www.statista.com/
8. Food in Nyc Compared To South Dakota
In South Dakota, a single person spends around $3500 on food annually, and a family of four spends #10,110 on average per year. Similarly, in Newyork, a single individual spends around $3900 annually on food, and a family of four spends around $13,500 on an average per year.
According to thrillist.com, South Dakota is ranked #42 in the best food states in the US, and New York on the other hand ranks #3 on the list. That doesn’t mean the Mount Rushmore state doesn’t serve good cuisines in their restaurants.
Bierocks, Chislic, Kuchen, Rocky Mountain Oysters, Collache, Indian Taco, and Chili and Cinnamon Rolls are some of the must-have cuisines served by top-rated restaurants and cafes of the state.
Which state has the best food: South Dakota or NYC?
NYC ranks #3 in the best food and dining options offering world-class cuisines which include pizzas, buffalo wings, bagels, garbage plates, and big apples. On the other hand, South Dakota ranks #42 in the best food states in the US. Still, it serves some of the best cuisines like steaks, subs, tacos, and more.
Which state has the best restaurants: South Dakota or NYC?
NYC has the best 5-star rated restaurants as compared to South Dakota which include George Bang Bang, Crown Alley, L’appart, Omakase By Korami, and Jose Luis Mediterranean Cuisine.
9. Housing Comparison between South Dakota vs NYC
Whether you plan to purchase a new home or rent a house in South Dakota, you will save a huge sum in housing costs after moving to South Dakota from NYC. This is because the housing cost in NYC is 76.5% more costlier than in South Dakota. The median home cost plays an important role in the variation of the living cost in both states.
Along with renting or purchasing additional costs like child care, incorporation of taxes and luxury provisions might significantly change the value of rental price or median home cost.
Is housing more expensive in South Dakota than in NYC?
Housing cost in South Dakota is 46.1% cheaper than in NYC.
What state has the lowest cost of housing South Dakota or NYC?
South Dakota has the lowest housing cost of 81.4 which is much lesser than New York’s of 294.3 and the US average of 100.
Comparison Table of housing costs (South Dakota or NYC)
The difference between housing costs in South Dakota or NYC in 2022 is stated below:
| Housing Cost | New York | South Dakota |
| Housing | 294.3 | 81.4 |
| Median Home Cost | $654,300 | $253,700 |
| Rental Cost | $3,150 or more per month | $575 or more per month |
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10. Compare Safety Between South Dakota vs NYC
When it comes to safety, South Dakota loses its point against NYC as South Dakota faces more crime (violence and property) than New York and even the national average. The state has ranked #17 in violent violent crime rate and 21st in property crime rate across all 50 US states.
All inclusively it is not the best place to live in South Dakota for families when it comes to safety. New York, on the other hand, is known to be one of the safest metropolitan states in the country with relatively lower violent and property crime rates. Residents and visitors find New York a safe place to stay and roam anytime at any place without any fear.
Is South Dakota safer than NYC?
South Dakota is somehow safer to stay in than NYC when it comes to the violent crime rate. However, the property crime rate in South Dakota is higher than in NYC.
Which state has the most crime South Dakota vs NYC?
South Dakota has fewer violent crime rate of 24.5 which is higher than the national average of 22.7 and lower than NYC of 28.2. However, the property crime rate of South Dakota i.e 29.1 is higher than NYC i.e. 24.9 and lower than the national average of 35.4
Comparison Table of Crime Rates of South Dakota vs NYC
The table below indicates the difference in crime rates in South Dakota and NYC on the scale of 1-100 (lowest to highest crime rate).
| South Dakota | NYC | |
| Violent crime | 24.5 | 28.2 |
| Property crime | 29.1 | 25 |
11. Jobs South Dakota Vs NYC
Full-time tech jobs, contract work, and part-time jobs are in the most demand in South Dakota. Commission jobs are few and far in between. South Dakota makes an excellent place to explore possibilities for candidates interested in the latest jobs in the IT and tech field. This makes a reason to move to South Dakota from NYC.
However, New York saw one of the largest job gains in the country in March 2022. As of May 2021, over 8 million young professionals and top employers were employed in New York in the field of business and financial services, education, healthcare, sales, and office and administrative support.
Below we have mentioned 10 popular jobs in South Dakota vs. NYC:
What state is easiest to find a job in? (South Dakota vs NYC)
It is easier to find a job in South Dakota than in NYC in 2023 because South Dakota has more employment positions than available employees. The state has 5 people to compete for a job opening.
Comparison Table of jobs in South Dakota vs NYC
Below is a comparison table of 10 popular jobs in South Dakota vs NYC with their average salary per annum.
| South Dakota Jobs | Average Salary(Per Annum) | NYC Jobs | Average Salary(Per Annum) |
| Data Entry Operator | $30320 | Data Entry Operator | $38,946 |
| Warehouse Package Handler | $27971 | Retail Manager | $80,989 |
| School Data Coordinator | $40714 | Nursing Assistant | $40,559 |
| Communications Officer | $61754 | Sales Representative | $71,637 |
| Police Records Technician | $35,543 | Administrative Assistant | $47,042 |
| Office Coordinator | $39,445 | Cashier | $39,454 |
| Deputy Court Clerk | $36,825 | Sales Associate | $34500 |
| Office Assistant | $37,528 | Office Assistant | $42,070 |
| Credentialing Specialist | $43,123 | Receptionist | $43,558 |
| Public Health Assistant | $70,552 | Home Health Aid | $29,704 |
how to move to south dakota
12. Economy South Dakota Vs NYC
The mainstay of South Dakota’s economy is agricultural output, but the role of tourism, forestry, and mining has grown. The gross state product of South Dakota increased by 1.1% during the preceding five years to reach $48.5 billion in 2022.
In South Dakota, businesses employed 464,139 people overall in 2022, with a 0.6% average annual growth in employment for the previous five years. New York City offers several business prospects. It is no surprise that NYC is regarded as the business capital of the globe with its robust infrastructure, workforce, and workforce from around the world.
With a population of 23.6 million, the New York metropolitan region produced a gross metropolitan product of US$2.1 trillion in 2022.
Is south Dakota have a better economy than NYC?
South Dakota has a better economy than NYC as it ranks #30 among 50 US states.
Which state has better industries: South Dakota or NYC?
South Dakota has the best industries with the most employment opportunities than NYC. The primary industry in South Dakota is agriculture followed by light machinery, food materials, wooden stuff, electronics, computers, meat processing, dairy processing, baking, and flour milling.
13. Pros And Cons South Dakota Vs NYC
Let us explore some of the pros and cons before moving to South Dakota from NYC:
| Particulars | South Dakota | New York |
| Cost of living | Lower | Higher |
| Housing Prices | Lower than New York & Us Average | Higher than South Dakota |
| Climate | Ranging from cold, dry winters to warm and semi-humid summers | The summers are warm, humid, and wet; the winters are very cold, snowy, and windy |
| Safety | 5.1 crimes per 1000 residents | 8.62 crimes per 1,000 residents |
| Economic Growth | Moderate economic Growth | Robust Growth |
| Tax Rate | lower tax rate | Higher tax rate |
| Diverse | Lack of diversity | Higher diversity |
14. Ranking
Based on 71 variables across eight categories, South Dakota is ranked No. 15 overall among American states. Based on 71 parameters spanning eight categories, New York is ranked No. 21 overall among American states. The Best States rankings take into consideration the following eleven key categories:
| Ranking | South Dakota | NYC |
| Cost of living | 23 | 6 |
| Jobs | 1 | 21 |
| Education | 19 | 13 |
| Economy | 30 | 43 |
| Health Care | 29 | 7 |
| Crime Rates | 35 | 11 |
| Natural Environment | 15 | 25 |
| Transportation | 26 | 11 |
| Safety | 21 | 5 |
| Population | 5 | 28 |
| Climate | 14 | 49 |
Moving To South Dakota From NYC FAQs
Is it better to live in South Dakota from NYC?
People usually prefer to leave in South Dakota than NYC due to the following reasons:
- Plenty of job opportunities
- A lower cost of living
- No income tax
- Stunning nature and open spaces
- Access to the best outdoor and winter activities
Why are New york city people moving to NYC?
70% of young professionals living in NYC prefer to move to South Dakota to get a job. South Dakota provides a lot of employment opportunities in the field of agriculture machinery software healthcare and the financial services industry.
Conclusion
Making a move from NYC to South Dakota is not an easy decision to make. Reasons can be anything but will become worth it if you realize the benefits of living in South Dakota – less living costs, tax benefits, and more job opportunities.
Besides, there are many unique things to do in Keystone South Dakota, and explore many places, activities, and recreations every time of the year. After all, South Dakota has something for every age group! So, pack your bags and have a safe move!
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