Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Sioux Falls, SD
The drive from Elizabeth, NJ to Sioux Falls, SD runs 1357 mi β about 25h 9m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1357 mi Β· 25h 9m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Sioux Falls | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 90.631 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 80.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 95.472 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 77.605 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Sioux Falls are 19.5% below Elizabeth β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sioux Falls typical home at $329,723 is 19.5% under Elizabeth at $534,667 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 28.3" |
Climate cools by 8.9Β°F on the annual average β 55.5Β°F β 46.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.39 |
Income steps up 19.5%: $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls.
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 New Jersey 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.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 1357 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 17.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1357 mi and the route typically takes 25h 9m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sioux Falls compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 165,960 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 19.5% lower than Elizabeth (90.631 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sioux Falls compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 38.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Sioux Falls, SD.