Georgia to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 184 mile interstate move from Georgia to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Georgia vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like heavy traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Peach Cobbler vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (antebellum, colonial vs charleston single house, plantation), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Peach Cobbler and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Georgia
- Rent in South Carolina is 8.97% more affordable than in Georgia
- Moving from Georgia to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Georgia to South Carolina movers is Moving Etc
Georgia to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Georgia to South Carolina
- Heavy traffic
- Higher cost of living
- Extreme heat
- Hurricane risk
- Fewer beaches
- Less congestion
- More affordable
- Milder summers
- Lower risk
- Coastal access
- Limited opportunities
- Fewer events
- Rural emphasis
- Fewer options
- Less sports focus
- Robust job market
- Rich cultural life
- Dynamic city life
- Diverse cuisine
- Major sports teams
Pros of moving from Georgia to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to heavy traffic and hello to less congestion
- Look forward to moving away from the higher cost of living and moving to South Carolina with more affordability
- Swap the extreme heat of Georgia for milder summers in South Carolina
- Get ready for a lower risk in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Georgia to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a robust job market in Georgia to live with limited opportunities in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural life and have to settle with the con of fewer events
- Time to bid farewell to dynamic city life and get used to a rural emphasis in South Carolina
- Swap diverse cuisine for fewer options
Georgia vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Georgia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Peach Cobbler | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Peach Ice Cream | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Okra Soup |
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 Georgia to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Peach Cobbler of Georgia for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Georgia rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Peach Ice Cream, 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 Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Soup of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Georgia eateries like The Varsity, Gunshow, and The Southern Gentleman. 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 (closed), and Xiao Bao Biscuit.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Georgia. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Georgia. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Georgia and South Carolina
Comparison | Georgia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Colonial | Charleston Single House, Plantation |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, large backyards | Oceanfront views, historical features |
- The Antebellum and Colonial architecture that Georgia is known for will be replaced with the Charleston Single House and Plantation architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Georgia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and large backyards, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like oceanfront views and historical features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; South Carolina is more walkable than Georgia.
- South Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Georgia.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Georgia.
- South Carolina housing costs are 10% less expensive than they are in Georgia, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Georgiaβs $327,174.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 64% increase in Georgia.
- Rent in South Carolina is 8.97% more affordable than in Georgia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Georgia and South Carolina
Comparison | Georgia | 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, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/68 | 91/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 55/33 | 57/35 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 49 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 2 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Georgia to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 0% more sunshine days than Georgia.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Georgia.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Georgia, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in South Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 2 degrees warmer than in Georgia.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Georgia.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 1 inch less rain compared to Georgia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Georgia and South Carolina
Comparison | Georgia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,837 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 93.35 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.91% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Film, Agriculture, Aerospace | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Balanced |
Poverty | Moderate | Medium |
Homelessness | Manageable | Manageable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 12% less than in Georgia
- The cost of living index in South Carolina will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Georgia
- The state income tax in SC is 7% compared to 5.75% in GA
- The affluence in South Carolina is balanced compared to moderate in Georgia
- The poverty level is medium in South Carolina compared to moderate in Georgia
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Georgia and manageable in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Georgia vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Georgia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; Recently trending blue in national elections | Consistently leans red in national elections |
Local Politics | Varies widely; urban areas lean liberal, rural areas conservative | Similar pattern but with a stronger conservative presence overall |
Religion | Christian-dominated, with a diverse mix of faiths | Predominantly Christian, with a significant evangelical presence |
- Georgia tends to lean mixed in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as consistently leaning red in national elections
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian with a significant evangelical presence
- Georgia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian-dominated with a diverse mix of faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Georgia to South Carolina
Comparison | Georgia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Georgia Georgia State University Georgia Tech | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Brandon Elementary Atlanta; Britt David Elementary Columbus; Kittredge Magnet School Atlanta | Buist Academy Charleston; Mount Pleasant Academy Mount Pleasant; Clemson Elementary Clemson |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Davidson Fine Arts Middle School Augusta; Riverwatch Middle School Suwanee; Dodgen Middle School Marietta | Gold Hill Middle School Fort Mill; Rollings Middle School of the Arts Summerville; Academic Magnet High School North Charleston |
Top 3 High Schools | Northview High School Johns Creek; Walton High School Marietta; Columbus High School Columbus | Academic Magnet High School North Charleston; Governor's School for Science & Mathematics Hartsville; Charleston County School of the Arts North Charleston |
Top 3 private high schools | The Westminster Schools Atlanta; Pace Academy Atlanta; The Lovett School Atlanta | Porter-Gaud School Charleston; Hammond School Columbia; Ashley Hall Charleston |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Westminster Schools Atlanta; Pace Academy Atlanta; The Lovett School Atlanta | Porter-Gaud School Charleston; Ashley Hall Charleston; Hilton Head Preparatory School Hilton Head Island |
Top 3 School Districts | Fulton County Schools; Cobb County School District; Gwinnett County Public Schools | Fort Mill School District; Lexington 1 School District; Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Georgia to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 184 miles from Georgia to South Carolina will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Atlanta Home Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,111 | 300 ft3 | $3.70 |
1 Bedroom | $1,647 | 450 ft3 | $3.66 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,713 | 750 ft3 | $3.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,933 | 1100 ft3 | $3.58 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,652 | 1600 ft3 | $3.53 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,282 | 1800 ft3 | $3.49 |
Top Georgia to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Georgia to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Moving Etc
Best moving company overall for Georgia to South Carolina