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Montana to South Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 2,133 mile interstate move from Montana to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Montana vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Bison steak vs Shrimp and grits), real estate & housing (rustic, cabin vs colonial, coastal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Bison steak and Elk burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and grits & Pulled pork barbecue
  • South Carolina housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Montana
  • Rent in South Carolina is 17.27% more expensive than in Montana
  • Moving from Montana to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended Montana to South Carolina movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

Montana to South Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Montana to South Carolina

ConsMontana iconMontana
  • Long winters
  • Limited job market
  • Rural isolation
  • High elevation
  • Sparse entertainment
ProsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Mild winters
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Vibrant social scene
  • Sea-level elevation
  • Abundant cultural events

South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Humidity levels
  • Hurricane risk
  • Traffic congestion
  • Crowded cities
  • Higher crime rates
Montana iconMontana
  • Stunning landscapes
  • Outdoor activities
  • Low traffic
  • Small town feel
  • Sense of community

Pros of moving from Montana to South Carolina

  • Say goodbye to long winters and hello to mild winters
  • Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to South Carolina with diverse job opportunities
  • Swap the rural isolation of Montana for a vibrant social scene in South Carolina
  • Get ready for sea-level elevation in South Carolina

Cons of moving from Montana to South Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning landscapes in Montana to live with humidity levels in South Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor activities and have to settle for the con of hurricane risk
  • Time to bid farewell to low traffic and get used to traffic congestion in South Carolina
  • Swap the small-town feel for crowded cities

Montana vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMontanaSouth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemBison steakShrimp and grits
Most popular meat dishElk burgersPulled pork barbecue
Most popular street food itemHuckleberry pieBoiled peanuts
Most popular vegan foodLentil chiliCollard greens
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The 406
  • The Nova Cafe
  • Plonk
  • Home Team BBQ
  • Husk
  • Bowen's Island Restaurant
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 Montana to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Bison steak of Montana for the equally delicious Shrimp and grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Montana rave about their flavorful Elk burgers and sumptuous Huckleberry pie, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled pork barbecue and Boiled peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Lentil chili 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 Montana eateries like The 406, The Nova Cafe, and Plonk. 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 Bowen's Island Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Montana and South Carolina

ComparisonMontanaSouth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleRustic, CabinColonial, Coastal
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 listingMountain views, AcreageBeach access, Historical properties
  • The Rustic and Cabin architecture that Montana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Coastal architecture typical of South Carolina.
  • Compared to Montana's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and acreage, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and historical properties.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than Montana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. South Carolina is more bike-friendly than Montana.
  • South Carolina has more of an urban feel than Montana.
  • South Carolina housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in Montana, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Montana’s $456,199.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased 58% compared to a 71% increase in Montana.
  • Rent in South Carolina is 17.27% more expensive than in Montana.

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

ComparisonMontanaSouth 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 DisastersWildfires, SnowstormsHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 45Β°F91Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)30Β°F / 15Β°F60Β°F / 38Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)1550
Annual Snowfall (Inches)602
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Montana to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 12% more sunshine days than Montana.
  • South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Montana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and snowstorms in Montana, 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 11 degrees warmer than in Montana.
  • The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in Montana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 35 more inches of rain compared to Montana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Montana and South Carolina

ComparisonMontanaSouth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$67,631$64,115
Cost of Living Index99.496.85
State Income Tax6.9%7%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax0%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, MiningManufacturing, Retail, Agribusiness
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessLowerModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 5% less than in Montana
  • The COLI in South Carolina will be 3% lower than what you are used to living in Montana
  • The state income tax in SC is 7% compared to 6.9% in MT
  • The affluence in South Carolina is varied compared to moderate in Montana
  • The poverty level is higher in South Carolina compared to moderate in Montana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Montana and moderate in South Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Montana vs. South Carolina

ComparisonMontanaSouth Carolina
Political Make-upLean ConservativeConservative
Local PoliticsMixed with emphasis on local governanceConservative with strong state governance
ReligionChristianity predominant, diverse religious presenceStrongly Christian, evangelical presence
  • Montana 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 strongly Christian with an evangelical presence
  • Montana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with a diverse religious presence

Education Guide When Moving from Montana to South Carolina

ComparisonMontanaSouth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRadley Elementary (Helena)
Arrowhead School (Pray)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Mitchell Road Elementary (Greenville)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Buist Academy (Charleston)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsClancy Elementary (Clancy)
Lewis & Clark Middle School (Billings)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill)
Buist Academy (Charleston)
Top 3 High School SchoolsBozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Greenville Technical Charter High School (Greenville)
Top 3 private high schoolsBillings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula)
Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls)
Porter-Gaud (Charleston)
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPetra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell)
Pinewood Preparatory School (Summerville)
Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Top 3 School DistrictsBozeman High School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools
Fort Mill School District
Charleston County School District
Greenville County School District

How Much Do Montana to South Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 2,133 miles from Montana to South Carolina will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,412300 ft3$8.04
1 Bedroom$3,595450 ft3$7.99
2 Bedrooms$5,954750 ft3$7.94
3 Bedrooms$8,6781100 ft3$7.89
4 Bedrooms$12,5431600 ft3$7.84
5+ Bedrooms$14,0201800 ft3$7.79

Top Montana to South Carolina Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Montana 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 Montana to South Carolina

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Swamp Rabbit Moving

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

8.79/10
Top Montana to South Carolina Routes

Billings to South Carolina