Florida to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 497 mile interstate move from Florida to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricanes vs less frequent storms), food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (spanish revival, modern vs colonial, charleston style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in South Carolina is 25.72% more affordable than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Florida to South Carolina movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Florida to South Carolina
- Hurricanes
- High humidity
- Tourist congestion
- Expensive real estate
- Less frequent storms
- Milder climate
- Quieter beaches
- Affordable housing
- More cold months
- State income tax
- Fewer cultural festivals
- Smaller coastline
- Sunny weather year-round
- No state income tax
- Diverse cultural events
- Beautiful beaches
Pros of moving from Florida to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to hurricanes and hello to less frequent storms
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to South Carolina with a milder climate
- Swap the tourist congestion of Florida for quieter beaches in South Carolina
- Get ready for affordable housing in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Florida to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from sunny weather year-round in Florida to live with more cold months in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of no state income tax and have to settle for the con of state income tax
- Time to bid farewell to diverse cultural events and get used to fewer cultural festivals in South Carolina
- Swap beautiful beaches for a smaller coastline
Florida vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Cubanos | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | AΓ§ai Bowl | 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 Florida to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich and sumptuous Cubanos, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the AΓ§ai Bowl 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 Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Bern's Steak House, and Latitudes on Sunset Key. 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, Bowens Island Restaurant, and The Ordinary.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and South Carolina
Comparison | Florida | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Revival, Modern | Colonial, Charleston style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Pool | Historic features, Large lots |
- The Spanish Revival and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and pools, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic elements and large lots.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Carolina is less walkable than Florida.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Florida.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Florida.
- South Carolina housing costs are 26% less expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in South Carolina is 25.72% more affordable than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and South Carolina
Comparison | Florida | 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, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 53" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 2" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 9% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes in South Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 1 degree warmer than in Florida.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and South Carolina
Comparison | Florida | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 0% - 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Tourism |
Affluence | Diverse | Moderate |
Poverty | Varied | Higher |
Homelessness | Challenging | Stable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 7% less than in Florida
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from FL to SC, you'll now have a state income tax of 0% - 7%
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to diverse affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is higher in South Carolina compared to varied poverty in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is challenging in Florida and stable in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Florida | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a slight lean towards conservative in recent elections | Conservative, with a strong Republican presence |
Local Politics | Varies by county, urban areas tend to be more liberal | Conservative, even in many urban areas |
Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic and Protestant population | Primarily Protestant, with a strong evangelical presence |
- Florida tends to lean mixed, with a slight lean towards conservative in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as conservative, with a strong Republican presence
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, with a strong evangelical presence
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with a significant Catholic and Protestant population
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to South Carolina
Comparison | Florida | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School Sarasota; Doral Academy of Technology Doral; Somerset Academy Miramar Miramar | Buist Academy Charleston; Mount Pleasant Academy Mount Pleasant; Charleston Development Academy Charleston |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Archimedean Middle Conservatory Miami; Doral Academy Charter Middle School Doral; Pine View School Sarasota | Greenville School of the Arts Greenville; Montessori School of Anderson Anderson; Charleston School of the Arts Charleston |
Top 3 High Schools | Pine View School Sarasota; Stanton College Preparatory Jacksonville; Design and Architecture Senior High Miami | Academic Magnet High School North Charleston; South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Hartsville; Charleston School of the Arts Charleston |
Top 3 private high schools | Ransom Everglades School Coconut Grove; The Bolles School Jacksonville; American Heritage School Plantation | Porter-Gaud School Charleston; Hammond School Columbia; Christ Church Episcopal School Greenville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | American Heritage School Plantation; Pine Crest School Fort Lauderdale; The Bolles School Jacksonville | Hammond School Columbia; Christ Church Episcopal School Greenville; Porter-Gaud School Charleston |
Top 3 School Districts | St. Johns County School District; Sarasota County Schools; Okaloosa County School District | Lexington School District One; Greenville County School District; Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Florida to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 497 miles from Florida 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,262 | 300 ft3 | $4.21 |
1 Bedroom | $1,873 | 450 ft3 | $4.16 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,090 | 750 ft3 | $4.12 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,486 | 1100 ft3 | $4.08 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,457 | 1600 ft3 | $4.04 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,187 | 1800 ft3 | $3.99 |
Top Florida to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to South Carolina