New Jersey to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 687 mile interstate move from New Jersey to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs colonial, charleston style), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Lowcountry Boil
- South Carolina housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in South Carolina is 32.59% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to South Carolina movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to South Carolina
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Cold winters
- Dense population
- High taxes
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- Milder climate
- More space
- Lower taxes
- Less diverse
- Limited transit options
- Far from major cities
- Less historical depth
- Hot/humid summers
- Cultural diversity
- Public transportation
- Proximity to NYC
- Rich history
- Four seasons
Pros of moving from New Jersey to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to South Carolina with less traffic
- Swap the cold winters of New Jersey for a milder climate in South Carolina
- Get ready for more space in South Carolina
Cons of moving from New Jersey to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in New Jersey to live with less diversity in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of public transportation and have to settle for the con of limited transit options
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to NYC and get used to being far from major cities in South Carolina
- Swap rich history for less historical depth
New Jersey vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Lowcountry Boil |
Most popular street food item | Saltwater Taffy | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Okra Soup |
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 New Jersey to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) of New Jersey for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Saltwater Taffy, 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 Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Soup of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Deli, and White House Sub Shop. 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, Poogan's Porch, and Hominy Grill (Closed).
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and South Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Colonial | Colonial, Charleston style |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, public transit options | Historic features, coastal living |
- The Victorian and Colonial architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston style architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and public transit options, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic elements and coastal living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Carolina is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- South Carolina housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in South Carolina is 32.59% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and South Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | 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 | Hurricanes, Snowstorms | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 24Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 15% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and snowstorms in New Jersey, 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 6 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 14 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 2 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and South Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Transportation | Aerospace, Automotive, Tourism |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 33% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 25% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in SC is 7% compared to 5.53% in NJ
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. South Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democrat | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse with strong urban and suburban representation | Conservative with significant rural representation |
Religion | <br/> Diverse: Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant<br/> | <br/> Predominantly Protestant with a strong evangelical presence<br/> |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democrat in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as Predominantly Protestant with a strong evangelical presence
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Diverse: Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to South Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Moss Elementary (Metuchen) Hoboken Charter School (Hoboken) Washington Avenue School (Chatham) | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) Forestbrook Elementary School (Myrtle Beach) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton) | Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Dutch Fork High School (Irmo) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Wardlaw+Hartridge School (Edison) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) | Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) Ashley Hall (Charleston) Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Fort Mill School District Lexington 1 School District Charleston County School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 687 miles from New Jersey to South Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,353 | 300 ft3 | $4.51 |
1 Bedroom | $2,011 | 450 ft3 | $4.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,319 | 750 ft3 | $4.43 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,821 | 1100 ft3 | $4.38 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,945 | 1600 ft3 | $4.34 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,736 | 1800 ft3 | $4.30 |
Top New Jersey to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to South Carolina