Delaware to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 586 mile interstate move from Delaware to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Scrapple vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, low country), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Delaware), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Scrapple and Roast Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in South Carolina is 10.71% more affordable than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Delaware to South Carolina movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Delaware to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Delaware to South Carolina
- Higher cost of living
- Cold winters
- Limited beach options
- Dense population
- Heavy traffic
- Lower cost of living
- Milder climate
- Beautiful coastlines
- More space
- Relaxed pace
- State taxes
- Farther from major hubs
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Limited public transit
- Less job variety
- Tax-free shopping
- Proximity to major cities
- Historic sites
- Developed public transport
- Diverse job market
Pros of moving from Delaware to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to South Carolina with a milder climate
- Swap the limited beach options of Delaware for beautiful coastlines in South Carolina
- Get ready for more space in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Delaware to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from tax-free shopping in Delaware to live with state taxes in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to major cities and have to settle for the con of being farther from major hubs
- Time to bid farewell to historic sites and get used to fewer historic landmarks in South Carolina
- Swap developed public transport for limited public transit
Delaware vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Roast Chicken | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Italian Water Ice | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Sandwich | Okra Stew |
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 Delaware to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Roast Chicken and sumptuous Italian Water Ice, 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 Mushroom Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Stew of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Delaware eateries like Dogfish Head Brewpub, Rehoboth Diner, and Grotto Pizza. 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 less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and South Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Low Country |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Beach proximity, family-friendly | Historical charm, large yards |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Low Country architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference beach proximity and family-friendly features, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight aspects like historical charm and large yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than Delaware.
- South Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Delaware.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Delaware.
- South Carolina housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Delaware, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior five years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in South Carolina is 10.71% more affordable than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and South Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | 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 | Hurricanes, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 91/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 44/28 | 60/38 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45.7 | 49.8 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.1 | 2 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 9% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in South Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 5 degrees warmer than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 4.1 more inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and South Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 2.2% - 6.6% | 0% - 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals | Aerospace, Automotive, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 22% less than in Delaware
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in SC is 0% - 7% compared to 2.2% - 6.6% in DE
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Delaware
- The poverty level is high in South Carolina compared to moderate in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and moderate in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive Urban Centers | Conservative Rural Areas |
Religion | Mainly Christian, Diverse Religions | Predominantly Protestant |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as predominantly Protestant
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mainly Christian and diverse religions
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to South Carolina
Comparison | Delaware | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Wilmington University Delaware State University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Brandywine School District Newark Charter School | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Newark Charter School (Newark) Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) | Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) River Oaks Middle School (North Charleston) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) Newark Charter High School (Newark) Sussex Technical High School (Georgetown) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Dutch Fork High School (Irmo) |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) Tower Hill School (Wilmington) | Hilton Head Christian Academy (Hilton Head Island) Hammond School (Columbia) Ashley Hall (Charleston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Brandywine School District Caesar Rodney School District Appoquinimink School District | Fort Mill School District Lexington-Richland School District 5 Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Delaware to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 586 miles from Delaware to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,304 | 300 ft3 | $4.35 |
1 Bedroom | $1,938 | 450 ft3 | $4.31 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,197 | 750 ft3 | $4.26 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,643 | 1100 ft3 | $4.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,685 | 1600 ft3 | $4.18 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,444 | 1800 ft3 | $4.14 |
Top Delaware to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for Delaware to South Carolina