Moving from Tacoma, WA to Sioux Falls, SD
It is 1493 mi between Tacoma and Sioux Falls β roughly 25h 60m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1493 mi Β· 25h 60m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Sioux Falls | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 90.631 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 80.7 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 95.472 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 77.605 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Sioux Falls at 90.631 vs Tacoma at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $493,840 to $329,723 moving to Sioux Falls.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 28.3" |
Annual temperature drops 7.1Β°F moving to Sioux Falls per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.39 |
Households in Sioux Falls earn about 18.4% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 18.4% lower than Tacoma (90.631 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Sioux Falls compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 33.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma 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 1493 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 Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 165,960 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 10.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 1493 mi and the route typically takes 25h 60m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Sioux Falls, SD.