Arkansas to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 706 mile interstate move from Arkansas to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs thriving job opportunities), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (craftsman, ranch vs colonial, beachfront cottages), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Fried Catfish and Barbecue Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork
- South Carolina housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in South Carolina is 25.58% more expensive than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended Arkansas to South Carolina movers is B2 Moving
Arkansas to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to South Carolina
- Limited job market
- Harsher winters
- Fewer beach destinations
- Thriving job opportunities
- Milder winters
- Close to beaches
- Higher cost of living
- Increased humidity
- Limited public transport
- Lower cost of living
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Rich cultural heritage
Pros of moving from Arkansas to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to thriving job opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from harsher winters and moving to South Carolina with milder winters
- Swap the fewer beach destinations of Arkansas for close beaches in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Arkansas to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Arkansas to live with the higher cost of living in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a laid-back lifestyle and have to settle with the con of increased humidity
- Time to bid farewell to rich cultural heritage and get used to limited public transport in South Carolina
Arkansas vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Ribs | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Fried Pickles | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Burgers | 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 Arkansas to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Barbecue Ribs and sumptuous Fried Pickles, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burgers 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 Arkansas eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, The Pantry, and Sims 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, FIG, and Bowens Island Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and South Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Ranch | Colonial, Beachfront Cottages |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most Popular Items Mentioned in Real Estate Listing | Large Yards, Privacy | Ocean Views, Historical Features |
- The Craftsman and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Beachfront Cottages architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Carolina is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- South Carolina has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- South Carolina housing costs are 45% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in South Carolina is 25.58% more expensive than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and South Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | 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, Floods | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 72Β°F | 90Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 51Β°F / 32Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 1" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in South Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 2 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Carolina, as it receives 1 fewer inch of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and South Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.9% | 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.6% | 0.5% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.5% | 7.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing | Tourism, Automotive, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 16% more than those in Arkansas
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in South Carolina is 7% compared to 5.9% in Arkansas
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Arkansas
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to notable in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Arkansas and noticeable in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Republican-leaning | Republican-leaning |
Local Politics | Conservative, with pockets of liberalism in urban areas | Conservatively inclined with some moderate areas, especially around <a href="https://columbiasc.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Columbia</a> and Charleston |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a strong Evangelical presence | Primarily Christian, with a significant Baptist influence |
- Arkansas tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a significant Baptist influence
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian with a strong Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to South Carolina
Comparison | Arkansas | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Forest Park Elementary (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary School (Fayetteville) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Charleston Development Academy (Charleston) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lisa Academy North Middle School (Sherwood) Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Fulbright Junior High School (Bentonville) | Montessori School of Anderson (Anderson) Sterling School (Greenville) Daniel Island School (Charleston) |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Little Rock Central High School (Little Rock) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) Greenville Technical Charter High School (Greenville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Wilson Hall (Sumter) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) The Anthony School (Little Rock) | Ashley Hall (Charleston) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools | Greenville County School District Lexington District One York School District 3 |
How Much Do Arkansas to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 706 miles from Arkansas to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,603 | 300 ft3 | $5.34 |
1 Bedroom | $2,382 | 450 ft3 | $5.29 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,932 | 750 ft3 | $5.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,712 | 1100 ft3 | $5.19 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,228 | 1600 ft3 | $5.14 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,166 | 1800 ft3 | $5.09 |
Top Arkansas to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.