Massachusetts to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 920 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild winter climate), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, antebellum), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Boston Baked Beans and Bacon, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 52% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
- Rent in South Carolina is 34.91% more affordable than in Massachusetts
- Moving from Massachusetts to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Massachusetts to South Carolina movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
Massachusetts to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to South Carolina
- Cold winters
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Dense urban areas
- Mild winter climate
- More affordable living
- Less congested roads
- More open spaces
- Fewer historic sites
- Limited higher education
- Fewer medical facilities
- Narrower job opportunities
- Cultural attractions
- Prestigious universities
- Advanced healthcare
- Diverse job market
Pros of moving from Massachusetts to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a mild winter climate
- Look forward to moving away from a high cost of living and moving to South Carolina with more affordable living
- Swap the heavy traffic of Massachusetts for less congested roads in South Carolina
- Get ready for more open spaces in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Massachusetts to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural attractions in Massachusetts to live with fewer historic sites in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of prestigious universities and have to settle with the con of limited higher education
- Time to bid farewell to advanced healthcare and get used to fewer medical facilities in South Carolina
- Swap a diverse job market for narrower job opportunities
Massachusetts vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Massachusetts | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Boston Baked Beans and Bacon | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Roll | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | 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 Massachusetts to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Boston Baked Beans and Bacon and sumptuous Lobster Roll, 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 Quinoa Salad 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 Massachusetts eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Neptune Oyster, and Parker's Restaurant. 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 Massachusetts. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Massachusetts. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and South Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Antebellum |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Energy efficiency, Proximity to public transportation | Spacious yards, Proximity to beaches |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Antebellum architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference energy efficiency and proximity to public transportation, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to beaches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than Massachusetts.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Massachusetts.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
- South Carolina housing costs are 52% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Massachusettsβs $612,509.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased 58% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
- Rent in South Carolina is 34.91% more affordable than in Massachusetts.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Massachusetts and South Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Blizzards, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 90Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 51" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 8% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts, 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 10 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 2 more inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and South Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 5% | 0% to 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Finance, Education | Manufacturing, Tourism, Automotive |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 32% less than those in Massachusetts
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 20% lower than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
- The state income tax in SC is 0% to 7% compared to 5% in MA
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to high in Massachusetts
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to low in Massachusetts
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Massachusetts and low in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies in urban areas | Conservative policies across the state |
Religion | Diverse; with a significant Catholic presence | Predominantly Christian; primarily Protestant |
- Massachusetts 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 Christian and primarily Protestant
- Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to South Carolina
Comparison | Massachusetts | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston College | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester) Chickering School (Dover) | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) Forestbrook Elementary (Myrtle Beach) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington) Raymond J. Grey Junior High School (Acton) | Moultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Ocean Bay Middle School (Myrtle Beach) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) Brookline High School (Brookline) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 private high schools | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) Noble and Greenough School (Dedham) The Winsor School (Boston) | Ashley Hall (Charleston) Furman University Child Development Center (Greenville) Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington Newton Wellesley | Charleston County School District Greenville County School District Lexington School District One |
How Much Do Massachusetts to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 920 miles from Massachusetts to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,465 | 300 ft3 | $4.88 |
1 Bedroom | $2,179 | 450 ft3 | $4.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,600 | 750 ft3 | $4.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,233 | 1100 ft3 | $4.76 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,544 | 1600 ft3 | $4.71 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,410 | 1800 ft3 | $4.67 |
Top Massachusetts to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Massachusetts to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to South Carolina