Michigan to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 923 mile interstate move from Michigan to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs warmer climate), food & health (like Pasties vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, charleston style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasties and Detroit-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Lowcountry Boil
- South Carolina housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in South Carolina is 13.94% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to South Carolina movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to South Carolina
- Cold winters
- Economic downturns
- High state taxes
- Limited beach access
- Rust Belt issues
- Warmer climate
- Growing job market
- Lower state taxes
- Coastal beaches
- Tourism industry
- Hurricane risk
- Less public transit
- High humidity
- Summer heat
- Fewer urban options
- Great Lakes
- Robust auto industry
- Historical landmarks
- Four distinct seasons
- Cultural diversity
Pros of moving from Michigan to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a warmer climate
- Look forward to moving away from economic downturns and moving to South Carolina with a growing job market
- Swap the high state taxes of Michigan for lower state taxes in South Carolina
- Get ready for coastal beaches in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Michigan to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the Great Lakes in Michigan to live with hurricane risk in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a robust auto industry and have to settle for the con of less public transit
- Time to bid farewell to historical landmarks and get used to high humidity in South Carolina
- Swap four distinct seasons for summer heat
Michigan vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasties | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Detroit-style Pizza | Lowcountry Boil |
Most popular street food item | Coney Dog | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh Reuben | 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 Michigan to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Pasties of Michigan for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Detroit-style Pizza and sumptuous Coney Dog, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Lowcountry Boil and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh Reuben 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 Michigan eateries like Slows Bar BQ, Zingerman's Deli, and Bell's Brewery. 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 Fleet Landing.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and South Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Charleston style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeshore, Proximity to Great Lakes | Historic homes, Proximity to beaches |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeshores and proximity to the Great Lakes, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to beaches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Carolina is less walkable than Michigan.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Michigan.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Michigan.
- South Carolina housing costs are 23% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in South Carolina is 13.94% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and South Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | 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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79Β°F / 58Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 17Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8" | 49.8" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 28% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, 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 12 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 17 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and South Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%-7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.54% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education | Manufacturing, Hospitality, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 4% less than in Michigan
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in SC is 0%-7% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to moderate in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Michigan and low in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Republican |
Local Politics | Moderately progressive in urban areas | Conservative, with strong local governance |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity dominant, with a stronger evangelical presence |
- Michigan tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Republican
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with a stronger evangelical presence
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to South Carolina
Comparison | Michigan | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Musson Elementary (Rochester) Forest School (Bloomfield Hills) Bemis Elementary (Troy) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Midway Elementary (Lexington) Oakview Elementary (Greenville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Boulan Park Middle (Troy) West Middle School (Rochester) Mill Creek Middle (Dexter) | Moultrie Middle (Mount Pleasant) Gold Hill Middle (Fort Mill) Hand Middle (Columbia) |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Rochester Adams High (Rochester) Northville High (Northville) | Academic Magnet High (North Charleston) South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School (Birmingham) Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) | Hammond School (Columbia) Ashley Hall (Charleston) Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Troy School District Novi Community School District | Fort Mill School District Lexington 1 School District Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Michigan to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 923 miles from Michigan to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,726 | 300 ft3 | $5.75 |
1 Bedroom | $2,566 | 450 ft3 | $5.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,239 | 750 ft3 | $5.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,163 | 1100 ft3 | $5.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,884 | 1600 ft3 | $5.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,905 | 1800 ft3 | $5.50 |
Top Michigan to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for Michigan to South Carolina