Minnesota to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 1,379 mile interstate move from Minnesota to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (prairie, craftsman vs colonial, charleston-style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in South Carolina is 0.82% more affordable than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to South Carolina movers is Metro Movers
Minnesota to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to South Carolina
- Harsh winters
- Higher taxes
- Limited beaches
- High cost of living
- Shorter summers
- Mild winters
- Lower taxes
- Beautiful coastline
- Affordable living
- Longer summers
- Fewer cultural events
- Limited specialized healthcare
- School quality varies
- Urban sprawl
- Fewer lakes
- Vibrant arts scene
- Advanced healthcare
- Excellent schools
- Clean cities
- Lake recreation
Pros of moving from Minnesota to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to South Carolina with lower taxes
- Swap the limited beaches of Minnesota for beautiful coastline in South Carolina
- Get ready for affordable living in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Minnesota to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant arts scene in Minnesota to live with fewer cultural events in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of advanced healthcare and have to settle with the con of limited specialized healthcare
- Time to bid farewell to excellent schools and get used to how school quality varies in South Carolina
- Swap clean cities for urban sprawl
Minnesota vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Jucy Lucy | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | 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 Minnesota to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Jucy Lucy, 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 Wild Rice Soup 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 Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, Spoon and Stable, and Smack Shack. 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 FIG.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and South Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Craftsman | Colonial, Charleston-style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside views, energy efficiency | Historic charm, coastal proximity |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston-style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and energy efficiency, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic charm and coastal proximity.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- South Carolina housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in South Carolina is 0.82% more affordable than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and South Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | 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, Cold Waves | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30 | 49 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 10% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and cold waves in Minnesota, 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 8 degrees warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 31 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 19 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and South Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.35 - 9.85% | 0 - 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.46% | 7.46% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Health Care, Retail | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 22% less than in Minnesota
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 2% lower than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in SC is 0 - 7% compared to 5.35 - 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to high in Minnesota
- The poverty level is high in South Carolina compared to moderate in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Minnesota and moderate in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative, with rural areas heavily influencing politics |
Religion | Lutheran, Catholic | Evangelical Protestant, Mainline Protestant |
- Minnesota 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 evangelical Protestant and Mainline Protestant
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to South Carolina
Comparison | Minnesota | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota St. Olaf College Carleton College | Clemson University University of South Carolina College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) Creek Valley Elementary (Edina) Deephaven Elementary (Minnetonka) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Charleston Development Academy (Charleston) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth) Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka) Eden Prairie Central Middle School (Eden Prairie) | Moultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) East Cooper Montessori Charter School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 High Schools | Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie) Edina High School (Edina) Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Blake School (Minneapolis) Breck School (Golden Valley) Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public Schools Edina Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools | Charleston County School District Greenville County School District Lexington 1 School District |
How Much Do Minnesota to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 1,379 miles from Minnesota to South Carolina will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 4-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,984 | 300 ft3 | $6.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,954 | 450 ft3 | $6.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,886 | 750 ft3 | $6.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,111 | 1100 ft3 | $6.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,263 | 1600 ft3 | $6.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,456 | 1800 ft3 | $6.36 |
Top Minnesota to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Metro Movers
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to South Carolina