Moving from Ann Arbor, MI to Sioux Falls, SD
A move from Ann Arbor, MI to Sioux Falls, SD covers 819 mi and around 15h 2m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
819 mi Β· 15h 2m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ann Arbor | Sioux Falls | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.88 | 90.631 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 98.184 | 80.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.711 | 95.472 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.3 | 77.605 | 100.0 |
Sioux Falls is 10.2% cheaper than Ann Arbor overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sioux Falls is 10.2% below Ann Arbor β $523,391 vs $329,723 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ann Arbor +3.2%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ann Arbor | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 59.3" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.9" | 28.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Ann Arbor (48.2Β°F) and Sioux Falls (46.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ANN ARBOR SE, MI US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ann Arbor | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,179 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $81,089 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 27.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.5% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.43 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Sioux Falls is 10.2% below Ann Arbor ($81,089 β $74,714, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sioux Falls MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 21,940 | $40,110 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 16,710 | $67,030 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,250 | $37,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,420 | $29,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,080 | $39,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and South Dakota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check South Dakota's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Ann Arbor?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 10.2% lower than Ann Arbor (90.631 vs 100.88, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ann Arbor vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $81,089 in Ann Arbor β a 7.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance is 819 mi and the route typically takes 15h 2m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Ann Arbor to Sioux Falls?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 819 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Sioux Falls compare to Ann Arbor?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA, on total employment of 165,960 and 215,300 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sioux Falls compared to Ann Arbor?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $523,391 in Ann Arbor β a 37.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ann Arbor.
City profiles: Ann Arbor, MI Β· Sioux Falls, SD.