New Mexico to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 1,503 mile interstate move from New Mexico to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like desert climate vs vibrant greenery), food & health (like Green Chile vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in South Carolina is 21.33% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to South Carolina movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to South Carolina
- Desert climate
- Limited coastline
- High altitude
- Sparse population
- Vibrant greenery
- Beaches and coastline
- Lowland areas
- Rich cultural scene
- Humid summers
- Hurricane risk
- Higher cost of living
- Tourist crowds
- Diverse landscapes
- Rich history
- Low cost of living
- Unique culture
Pros of moving from New Mexico to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to desert climate and hello to vibrant greenery
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to South Carolina with beaches and coastline
- Swap the high altitude of New Mexico for lowland areas in South Carolina
- Get ready for a rich cultural scene in South Carolina
Cons of moving from New Mexico to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse landscapes in New Mexico to live with humid summers in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of hurricane risk
- Time to bid farewell to the low cost of living and get used to the higher cost of living in South Carolina
- Swap unique culture for tourist crowds
New Mexico vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burrito | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Tacos | 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 Mexico to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Breakfast Burrito, 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 Blue Corn Tacos 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 Mexico eateries like El Modelo, Frontier Restaurant, and Sadie's of New Mexico. 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 Poogan's Porch.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and South Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Natural landscapes, privacy | Historic details, access to beaches |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference natural landscapes and privacy, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and access to beaches.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. South Carolina is more walkable than New Mexico.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Carolina is less bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- South Carolina has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- South Carolina housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in South Carolina is 21.33% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and South Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | 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 | Wildfires, Floods | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 88Β°F / 64Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13.9 inches | 49.8 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 inches | 1 inch |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 23% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in New Mexico, 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 New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 15 degrees warmer than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 35.9 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and South Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 1.7% to 4.9% | 0% to 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.55% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.13% | 6.05% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 7% more than those in New Mexico
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 0% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in SC is 0% to 7% compared to 1.7% to 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in South Carolina is higher compared to moderate affluence in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to moderate in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in New Mexico and low in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. South Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative, with pockets of liberalism |
Religion | Predominantly Catholic | Primarily Protestant |
- New Mexico 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 primarily Protestant
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to South Carolina
Comparison | New Mexico | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | University of South Carolina Clemson University Coastal Carolina University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Double Eagle Elementary (Albuquerque) Wood Gormley Elementary (Santa Fe) Georgia O'Keeffe Elementary (Albuquerque) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Clemson Elementary (Clemson) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) | Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Beck International Academy (Greenville) Montessori School of Anderson (Anderson) |
Top 3 High Schools | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science (Albuquerque) Arrowhead Park Early College High School (Las Cruces) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) | Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Albuquerque Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools | Lexington School District One Greenville County School District Fort Mill School District |
How Much Do New Mexico to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 1,503 miles from New Mexico to South Carolina will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,055 | 300 ft3 | $6.85 |
1 Bedroom | $3,059 | 450 ft3 | $6.80 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,061 | 750 ft3 | $6.75 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,368 | 1100 ft3 | $6.70 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,638 | 1600 ft3 | $6.65 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,877 | 1800 ft3 | $6.60 |
Top New Mexico to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.