Arizona to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,930 mile interstate move from Arizona to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs milder summers), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, pueblo revival vs colonial, charleston style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Arizona), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in South Carolina is 13.64% more affordable than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Arizona to South Carolina movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to South Carolina
- Extreme summer heat
- Limited water resources
- Desert landscape
- Higher cost of living
- Few beaches
- Milder summers
- Abundant rainfall
- Lush greenery
- Lower overall costs
- Coastal access
- Higher humidity
- Fewer desert landscapes
- Smaller city nightlife
- No similar natural wonder
- Limited tech opportunities
- Low humidity
- Unique desert vistas
- Vibrant Phoenix nightlife
- Grand Canyon access
- Thriving tech industries
Pros of moving from Arizona to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to milder summers
- Look forward to moving away from limited water resources and moving to South Carolina with abundant rainfall
- Swap the desert landscape of Arizona for lush greenery in South Carolina
- Get ready for lower overall costs in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Arizona to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from low humidity in Arizona to live with higher humidity in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of unique desert vistas and have to settle for the con of fewer desert landscapes
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant Phoenix nightlife and get used to smaller city nightlife in South Carolina
- Swap Grand Canyon access for no similar natural wonder
Arizona vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Sonoran Hot Dog | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | 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 Arizona to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Sonoran Hot Dog, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos 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 Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Charro CafΓ©, and Matt's Taco Shack. 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 (Note: As of my last update, Hominy Grill has closed, but it remains a referenced icon of SC cuisine), and Bowen's Island Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and South Carolina
Comparison | Arizona | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival | Colonial, Charleston Style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Desert views, solar panels | Historic charm, coastal access |
- The Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston Style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference desert views and solar panels, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and coastal access.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Arizona.
- South Carolina housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased 58% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in South Carolina is 13.64% more affordable than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and South Carolina
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Wildfires, Heatwaves | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 106Β°F/83Β°F | 92Β°F/71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F/46Β°F | 60Β°F/38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 49 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0 | 1 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 27% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and heatwaves in Arizona, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in South Carolina.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 14 degrees colder than in Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 36 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and South Carolina
Comparison | Arizona | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 2.59 - 4.50 | 0 - 7.00 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.66 | 0.57 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40 | 7.46 |
Top 3 Industries | Copper, Manufacturing, Real Estate | Aerospace, Agriculture, Automotive |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Growing | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 14% less than those in Arizona
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in SC is 0 to 7.00 compared to 2.59 to 4.50 in AZ
- The affluence in South Carolina is varied compared to moderate affluence in Arizona
- The poverty level is higher in South Carolina compared to moderate poverty in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is growing in Arizona and stable in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Arizona | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderate, with both parties competitive | Conservatively leaning, with a strong Republican presence |
Local Politics | Mixture of liberal urban centers and conservative rural areas | Generally conservative, with a few liberal urban enclaves |
Religion | Religiously diverse, including Christian, non-religious, and other faiths | Predominantly Christian, with a strong evangelical presence |
- Arizona tends to lean moderate, with both parties competitive in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively leaning with a strong Republican presence
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a strong evangelical presence
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as religiously diverse, including Christian, non-religious, and other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to South Carolina
Comparison | Arizona | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arizona Arizona State University Northern Arizona University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Knox Gifted Academy (Chandler) BASIS Scottsdale Primary East Campus (Scottsdale) Benchmark School (Phoenix) | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) Clemson Elementary (Clemson) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Chandler (Chandler) BASIS Oro Valley (Oro Valley) BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) | Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville) Greenville Middle Academy (Greenville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Scottsdale (Scottsdale) Basis Tucson North (Tucson) University High School (Tucson) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Loveless Academic Magnet Program High (Greenville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix) Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix) The Gregory School (Tucson) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) Chandler Preparatory Academy (Chandler) North Phoenix Preparatory Academy (Phoenix) | Augusta Christian Schools (Martinez) Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School (Darlington) Cardinal Newman School (Columbia) |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Lexington District 1 Greenville County Schools Fort Mill School District |
How Much Do Arizona to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 1,930 miles from Arizona to South Carolina will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,297 | 300 ft3 | $7.66 |
1 Bedroom | $3,422 | 450 ft3 | $7.61 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,667 | 750 ft3 | $7.56 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,256 | 1100 ft3 | $7.51 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,929 | 1600 ft3 | $7.46 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,330 | 1800 ft3 | $7.41 |
Top Arizona to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to South Carolina