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Maine to South Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,164 mile interstate move from Maine to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (cape cod and colonial vs colonial and charleston single-house), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and Beef Pot Roast, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
  • South Carolina housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in Maine
  • Rent in South Carolina is 9.02% more affordable than in Maine
  • Moving from Maine to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Maine to South Carolina movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

Maine vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMaineSouth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemLobster RollShrimp and Grits
Most popular meat dishBeef Pot RoastPulled Pork BBQ
Most popular street food itemItalian SandwichFried Green Tomatoes
Most popular vegan foodSeaweed SaladOkra Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Fore Street
  • Eventide Oyster Co.
  • Duckfat
  • Home Team BBQ
  • Husk
  • Poogan's Porch
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Maine to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Beef Pot Roast and sumptuous Italian Sandwich, 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 Seaweed Salad 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 Maine eateries like Fore Street, Eventide Oyster Co., and Duckfat. After the boxes are unpacked in South Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to South Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Home Team BBQ, Husk, and Poogan's Porch.

When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and South Carolina

ComparisonMaineSouth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleCape Cod and ColonialColonial and Charleston single-house
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingWaterfront and forest viewsBeach access and historical features
  • The Cape Cod and Colonial architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston single-house architecture typical of South Carolina.
  • Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and forest views, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and historical features.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than Maine.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Carolina is more bike-friendly than Maine.
  • South Carolina has more of an urban feel than Maine.
  • South Carolina housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Maine’s $392,358.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
  • Rent in South Carolina is 9.02% more affordable than in Maine.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and South Carolina

ComparisonMaineSouth Carolina
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, Ice StormsHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityGoodVariable, mostly good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)70-80Β°F / 50-60Β°F88-92Β°F / 68-72Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)25-35Β°F / 10-20Β°F50-60Β°F / 30-40Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)43"50"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)50-70"1-3"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 15% more sunshine days than Maine.
  • South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and ice storms in Maine, 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 18 degrees warmer than in Maine.
  • The average winter lows in South Carolina are 20 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Maine.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and South Carolina

ComparisonMaineSouth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$69,543$64,115
Cost of Living Index116.596.85
State Income Tax5% - 7.15%0% - 7%
Avg. Property Tax1.30%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax5.50%6%
Top 3 IndustriesTourism, Healthcare, AgricultureAutomotive, Manufacturing, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 8% less than those in Maine
  • The COLI in South Carolina is 17% lower than what you are used to living in Maine
  • The state income tax in SC is 0% - 7% compared to 5% - 7.15% in ME
  • The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Maine
  • The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to low in Maine
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in South Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. South Carolina

ComparisonMaineSouth Carolina
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticLeans Republican
Local PoliticsGovernment-Centric<a href="https://www.sc.gov/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Community-Centric</a>
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedHigh religious affiliation, predominantly Christian
  • Maine 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 having high religious affiliation, predominantly Christian
  • Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Maine to South Carolina

ComparisonMaineSouth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maine
Bates College
Bowdoin College
University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsFalmouth Elementary (Falmouth)
Yarmouth Elementary (Yarmouth)
Cumberland-North Yarmouth
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Buist Academy (Charleston)
Clemson Elementary (Clemson)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsFalmouth Middle School (Falmouth)
Yarmouth Middle School (Yarmouth)
Cape Elizabeth Middle School (Cape Elizabeth)
Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Marrington Middle School of the Arts (Goose Creek)
Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville)
Top 3 High SchoolsYarmouth High School (Yarmouth)
Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth)
Falmouth High School (Falmouth)
Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Dutch Fork High School (Irmo)
Top 3 private high schoolsWaynflete School (Portland)
Hebron Academy (Hebron)
North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth)
Porter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWaynflete School (Portland)
North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth)
Hebron Academy (Hebron)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
Porter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Top 3 School DistrictsFalmouth School District
Yarmouth Schools
Cape Elizabeth Schools
Charleston County School District
Greenville County School District
Lexington and Richland County School District Five

How Much Do Maine to South Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 1,164 miles from Maine to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,583300 ft3$5.28
1 Bedroom$2,355450 ft3$5.23
2 Bedrooms$3,894750 ft3$5.19
3 Bedrooms$5,6641100 ft3$5.15
4 Bedrooms$8,1711600 ft3$5.11
5+ Bedrooms$9,1161800 ft3$5.06

Top Maine to South Carolina Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maine to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

Best moving company overall for Maine to South Carolina

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Swamp Rabbit Moving

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
SC Moving Services featured image

SC Moving Services

9.20/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Maine to South Carolina Routes

Portland to South Carolina