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Minnesota to South Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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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

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Harsh winters
  • Higher taxes
  • Limited beaches
  • High cost of living
  • Shorter summers
ProsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Mild winters
  • Lower taxes
  • Beautiful coastline
  • Affordable living
  • Longer summers

South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Fewer cultural events
  • Limited specialized healthcare
  • School quality varies
  • Urban sprawl
  • Fewer lakes
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemHotdishShrimp and Grits
Most popular meat dishWalleyePulled Pork BBQ
Most popular street food itemJucy LucyBoiled Peanuts
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupCollard Greens
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • Hominy Grill (Closed)
  • FIG
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 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

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Carolina
Typical Architecture StylePrairie, CraftsmanColonial, Charleston-style
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 listingLakeside views, energy efficiencyHistoric 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 Minnesota’s $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

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth 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, Cold WavesHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 63Β°F91Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 7Β°F60Β°F / 38Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3049
Annual Snowfall (Inches)541
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$82,338$64,115
Cost of Living Index98.7596.85
State Income Tax5.35 - 9.85%0 - 7%
Avg. Property Tax1.08%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax7.46%7.46%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Health Care, RetailManufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateHigh
HomelessnessModerateModerate
  • 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

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth Carolina
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive in urban areasConservative, with rural areas heavily influencing politics
ReligionLutheran, CatholicEvangelical 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

ComparisonMinnesotaSouth 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 SchoolsScenic 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 SchoolsWayzata 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 SchoolsEden 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 schoolsThe 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsMinnetonka 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 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,984300 ft3$6.61
1 Bedroom$2,954450 ft3$6.56
2 Bedrooms$4,886750 ft3$6.51
3 Bedrooms$7,1111100 ft3$6.46
4 Bedrooms$10,2631600 ft3$6.41
5+ Bedrooms$11,4561800 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.

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for Minnesota to South Carolina

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Swamp Rabbit Moving

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details

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