Alabama to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 398 mile interstate move from Alabama to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs mild coastal climate), food & health (like Alabama BBQ vs Lowcountry boil), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs charleston single, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Alabama BBQ and Pulled pork, but get your taste buds ready for Lowcountry boil & Shrimp and grits
- South Carolina housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in South Carolina is 12.12% more expensive than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to South Carolina movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to South Carolina
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited coastline
- Fewer cultural festivals
- Limited wine regions
- Mild coastal climate
- Beautiful beaches
- Rich history and culture
- Burgeoning wine country
- Slightly higher cost
- Busier cities
- Increased traffic
- Lower cost of living
- Quieter lifestyle
- Less traffic congestion
Pros of moving from Alabama to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a mild coastal climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to South Carolina with beautiful beaches
- Swap the fewer cultural festivals of Alabama for rich history and culture in South Carolina
- Get ready for burgeoning wine country in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Alabama to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Alabama to live with a slightly higher cost in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter lifestyle and have to settle for the con of busier cities
- Time to bid farewell to less traffic congestion and get used to increased traffic in South Carolina
Alabama vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Alabama BBQ | Lowcountry boil |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled pork | Shrimp and grits |
Most popular street food item | Conecuh sausage | Fried green tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Black-eyed peas | Collard greens |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alabama to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Alabama BBQ of Alabama for the equally delicious Lowcountry boil of South Carolina. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful pulled pork and sumptuous Conecuh sausage, South Carolina residents know they have tasty shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the black-eyed peas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the collard greens of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Dreamland Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in South Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to South Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and FIG.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and South Carolina
Comparison | Alabama | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Craftsman | Charleston Single, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, privacy | Proximity to beaches, historic charm |
- The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Charleston Single and Colonial architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Carolina is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- South Carolina has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- South Carolina housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in South Carolina is 12.12% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and South Carolina
Comparison | Alabama | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Hurricanes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 56" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 2" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Alabama to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 2% more sunshine days than Alabama.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and hurricanes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in South Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 1 degree warmer than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and South Carolina
Comparison | Alabama | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 5 | 7 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.39 | 0.57 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.00 | 6.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Aerospace, Finance | Tourism, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 7% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in SC is 7 compared to 5 in AL
- The affluence in South Carolina is growing compared to moderate affluence in Alabama
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to notable poverty in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Alabama and concerning in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Alabama | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Conservative, with pockets of Liberal influence |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Mixed, with Republican leanings |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Evangelical Protestant |
- Alabama tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with pockets of Liberal influence
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as evangelical Protestant
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to South Carolina
Comparison | Alabama | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of Alabama at Birmingham | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Madison Elementary (Madison) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mitchell Road Elementary (Greenville) Lake Carolina Elementary (Columbia) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Discovery Middle School (Madison) | Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Bob Jones High School (Madison) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs) Randolph School (Huntsville) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools | Fort Mill School District Charleston County School District Greenville County School District |
How Much Do Alabama to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 398 miles from Alabama to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-16 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,428 | 300 ft3 | $4.76 |
1 Bedroom | $2,120 | 450 ft3 | $4.71 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,495 | 750 ft3 | $4.66 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,071 | 1100 ft3 | $4.61 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,297 | 1600 ft3 | $4.56 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,119 | 1800 ft3 | $4.51 |
Top Alabama to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

MoveDaddy
Best moving company overall for Alabama to South Carolina
