Moving from Bellevue, WA to Sioux Falls, SD
A move from Bellevue, WA to Sioux Falls, SD covers 1470 mi and around 25h 31m of driving through 5 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.
1470 mi Β· 25h 31m by car Β· SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 212, US 395 |
| Major cities en route | Billings, Spokane Valley, Spokane, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | 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 |
Overall prices in Sioux Falls are 18.4% below Bellevue 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 18.4% under Bellevue at $1,516,154 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bellevue | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 28.3" |
Sioux Falls is 6.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (53.2Β°F vs 46.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Sioux Falls is 18.4% below Bellevue ($161,300 vs $74,714, 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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 18.4% lower than Bellevue (90.631 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 1470 mi and the route typically takes 25h 31m via I 90 and US 212. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 1470 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sioux Falls compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue β a 78.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Sioux Falls compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue 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 Bellevue vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $161,300 in Bellevue β a 53.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA Β· Sioux Falls, SD.