Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Lowell, MA
A 1571 mi cross-country move between Sioux Falls and Lowell is 29h 18m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1571 mi Β· 29h 18m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Aurora, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sioux Falls | Lowell | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Lowell runs about 19.5% more expensive overall than Sioux Falls β RPP 90.631 β 108.266.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $329,723 in Sioux Falls to $480,319 in Lowell, a 19.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Lowell +0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 48.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 46.6Β°F vs 49.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, LOWELL, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Lowell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 114,799 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $76,205 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 18% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.71 |
Household income lines up β $74,714 vs $76,205 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Dakota and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Lowell more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lowell is 19.5% higher than Sioux Falls (108.266 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs Lowell?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,205 in Lowell vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 2.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lowell compared to Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $480,319 in Lowell vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 45.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Lowell, MA from Sioux Falls, SD?
The driving distance is 1571 mi and the route typically takes 29h 18m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Lowell?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1571 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· Lowell, MA.