Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Sioux Falls, SD
The drive from Jersey City, NJ to Sioux Falls, SD runs 1363 mi β about 25h 16m 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.
1363 mi Β· 25h 16m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β SD
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β SD |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Elizabeth, Newark, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | 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 |
Sioux Falls is 19.5% cheaper than Jersey City 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 19.5% below Jersey City β $658,269 vs $329,723 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Sioux Falls +1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jersey City | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 47Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 28.3" |
Climate cools by 8.2Β°F on the annual average β 54.8Β°F β 46.6Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Sioux Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 197,642 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $74,714 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.39 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 19.5% between Jersey City and Sioux Falls (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 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- 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
How far is Sioux Falls, SD from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 1363 mi and the route typically takes 25h 16m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sioux Falls compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City 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.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Sioux Falls?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,714 in Sioux Falls vs $94,813 in Jersey City β a 21.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sioux Falls more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sioux Falls is 19.5% lower than Jersey City (90.631 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City 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 1363 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 Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,723 in Sioux Falls vs $658,269 in Jersey City β a 49.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ Β· Sioux Falls, SD.