Missouri to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 865 mile interstate move from Missouri to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like St. Louis-style pizza vs Shrimp and grits), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, charleston single house), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to St. Louis-style pizza and Kansas City barbecue ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and grits & Lowcountry boil
- South Carolina housing costs are 21% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in South Carolina is 23.82% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Missouri to South Carolina movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to South Carolina
- Harsh winters
- Limited beach access
- Rural expanses
- Less seafood variety
- Lower tourism
- Mild winters
- Coastal beaches
- Scenic coastlines
- Seafood options
- Rich history
- Higher cost of living
- New adjustments
- Flood risk
- Summer humidity
- Higher property taxes
- Low cost of living
- Familiar community
- Rich history
- Vibrant fall colors
- Lower property taxes
Pros of moving from Missouri to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited beach access and moving to South Carolina with coastal beaches
- Swap the rural expanses of Missouri for scenic coastlines in South Carolina
- Get ready for seafood options in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Missouri to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Missouri to live with the higher cost of living in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a familiar community and have to settle with the con of new adjustments
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to the flood risk in South Carolina
- Swap vibrant fall colors for summer humidity
Missouri vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style pizza | Shrimp and grits |
Most popular meat dish | Kansas City barbecue ribs | Lowcountry boil |
Most popular street food item | Toasted ravioli | Fried green tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ jackfruit sandwich | 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 Missouri to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style pizza of Missouri for the equally delicious shrimp and grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Kansas City barbecue ribs and sumptuous toasted ravioli, 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 BBQ jackfruit sandwich 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 Missouri eateries like Pi Pizzeria, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, and Pappy's Smokehouse. 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 a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and South Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Charleston Single House |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Proximity to parks | Proximity to the beach, Outdoor living spaces |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston Single House architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to parks, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the beach and outdoor living spaces.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Carolina is less walkable than Missouri.
- South Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Missouri.
- South Carolina has an equally urban feel as Missouri.
- South Carolina housing costs are 21% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased 58% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in South Carolina is 23.82% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and South Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 67Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 23Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 49 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 17 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 5% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in South Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 3 degrees warmer than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and South Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 0 - 5.4 | 0 - 7 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.97 | 0.57 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4.225 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Tourism, Manufacturing, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | Notable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Rising |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 1% less than in Missouri
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in SC is 0 - 7 compared to 0 - 5.4 in MO
- The affluence in South Carolina is growing compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to notable poverty in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Missouri and rising in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Conservative |
Local Politics | Mixed urban/rural influences | Strongly influenced by rural areas |
Religion | Protestant majority | Protestant majority with a significant Evangelical presence |
- Missouri tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as Conservative
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as a Protestant majority with a significant Evangelical presence
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Protestant majority
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to South Carolina
Comparison | Missouri | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Washington University in St Louis Missouri State University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Clayton Elementary (Clayton) Kirkwood Early Childhood Center (Kirkwood) Wilson School (Clayton) | Hanahan Elementary (Hanahan) Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School (Ladue) Central Middle School (Clayton) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Beck Academy (Greenville) |
Top 3 High Schools | Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue) Clayton High School (Clayton) Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) Fort Mill High School (Fort Mill) |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) St. Louis Priory School (St. Louis) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) | Porter-Gaud (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) John Burroughs School (St. Louis) Thomas Jefferson School (St. Louis) | Hammond School (Columbia) Ashley Hall (Charleston) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Ladue School District Park Hill School District | Fort Mill School District Lexington 1 School District Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Missouri to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 865 miles from Missouri 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: 3-8.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,693 | 300 ft3 | $5.64 |
1 Bedroom | $2,517 | 450 ft3 | $5.59 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,157 | 750 ft3 | $5.54 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,042 | 1100 ft3 | $5.49 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,709 | 1600 ft3 | $5.44 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,707 | 1800 ft3 | $5.39 |
Top Missouri to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to South Carolina