Idaho to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 2,376 mile interstate move from Idaho to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs mild winter climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (modern and ranch vs colonial and charleston style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Steak, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in South Carolina is 2.31% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Idaho to South Carolina movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to South Carolina
- Long, harsh winters
- Limited job opportunities
- Remote rural areas
- Higher elevation
- Mild winter climate
- Growing job market
- Coastal proximity
- Sea level access
- Hurricane risk
- Humidity levels
- Tourist congestion
- Higher property taxes
- Affordable housing
- Outdoor recreation
- Low traffic
- Quiet lifestyle
Pros of moving from Idaho to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a mild winter climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to South Carolina with a growing job market
- Swap the remote rural areas of Idaho for coastal proximity in South Carolina
- Get ready for sea level access in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Idaho to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable housing in Idaho to live with the hurricane risk in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor recreation and have to settle for the con of humidity levels
- Time to bid farewell to low traffic and get used to tourist congestion in South Carolina
- Swap a quiet lifestyle for higher property taxes
Idaho vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Steak | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Finger Steaks | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Lentil Chili | Okra Stew |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Steak and sumptuous Finger Steaks, 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 Lentil Chili 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 Idaho eateries like Boise Fry Company, State and Lemp, and The Basque Market. 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, and FIG.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and South Carolina
Comparison | Idaho | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern and Ranch | Colonial and Charleston Style |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, mountain views | Historic homes, proximity to beaches |
- The Modern and Ranch architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston-style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and mountain views, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to beaches.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Carolina is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- South Carolina has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- South Carolina housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Idaho’s $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased 58% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in South Carolina is 2.31% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and South Carolina
Comparison | Idaho | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F / 40°F | 90°F / 70°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 35°F / 15°F | 60°F / 40°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 8% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in South Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 5 degrees warmer than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 25 degrees warmer than those in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 36 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and South Carolina
Comparison | Idaho | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 6.925% | 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Tourism, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Mixed |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 12% less than in Idaho
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in SC is 7% compared to 6.925% in ID
- The affluence in South Carolina is mixed compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Idaho | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Republican | Republican |
Religion | LDS Church prominent | Evangelical Protestant prominent |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as conservative
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as prominently evangelical Protestant
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as prominently LDS Church
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to South Carolina
Comparison | Idaho | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | White Pine Elementary (Boise) Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Forest Lake Elementary (Columbia) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Junior High School (Boise) West Middle School (Boise) East Junior High School (Boise) | Montessori Middle at Brentwood (Charleston) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Timberline High School (Boise) Capital High School (Boise) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) |
Top 3 private high schools | Boise Christian School (Boise) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Ashley Hall (Charleston) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Hammond School (Columbia) Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Ashley Hall (Charleston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District | Lexington School District One Greenville County School District Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Idaho to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 2,376 miles from Idaho to South Carolina will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,550 | 300 ft3 | $8.50 |
1 Bedroom | $3,802 | 450 ft3 | $8.45 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,299 | 750 ft3 | $8.40 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,183 | 1100 ft3 | $8.35 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,277 | 1600 ft3 | $8.30 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,847 | 1800 ft3 | $8.25 |
Top Idaho to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Idaho to South Carolina