Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Tacoma, WA
It is 1493 mi between Sioux Falls and Tacoma 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
| Sioux Falls | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.631 in Sioux Falls to 111.133 in Tacoma, putting overall prices 22.6% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $329,723 to $493,840 moving to Tacoma.
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | 40.8" |
Annual temperature rises 7.1Β°F moving to Tacoma per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.41 |
Households in Tacoma earn about 22.6% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between South Dakota and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 49.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Tacoma more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 22.6% higher than Sioux Falls (111.133 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Sioux Falls, SD?
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.
How does household income compare in Sioux Falls vs Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 12.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Tacoma?
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 Tacoma compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Tacoma, WA.