Rhode Island to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 884 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Stuffies vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial and antebellum), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies and Grilled Portuguese sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Barbecue Pulled Pork
- South Carolina housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in South Carolina is 20.60% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to South Carolina movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Rhode Island to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to South Carolina
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Limited space
- High taxes
- Lower living expenses
- Milder winters
- More spacious homes
- Lower taxes
- Hot, humid summers
- Prone to hurricanes
- Less public transit
- Fewer cultural events
- Beautiful coastlines
- Historical charm
- Culinary delights
- Vibrant arts scene
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to South Carolina with milder winters
- Swap the limited space of Rhode Island for more spacious homes in South Carolina
- Get ready for lower taxes in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful coastlines in Rhode Island to live with hot, humid summers in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of historical charm and have to settle for the con of being prone to hurricanes
- Time to bid farewell to culinary delights and get used to less public transit in South Carolina
- Swap the vibrant arts scene for fewer cultural events
Rhode Island vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Portuguese sausage | Barbecue Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Clam Cakes | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan 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 Rhode Island to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Portuguese Sausage and sumptuous Clam Cakes, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Barbecue Pulled Pork and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan 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 Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Iggy's Doughboys, and Blount Clam 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 Home Team BBQ, Husk, and Poogan's Porch.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and South Carolina
Comparison | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial and Antebellum |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Seaside Views, History | Golf Courses, Beaches |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Antebellum architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference seaside views and history, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like golf courses and beaches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Carolina is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- South Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Rhode Island.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- South Carolina housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in South Carolina is 20.60% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and South Carolina
Comparison | Rhode Island | 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 | Snowstorms, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 49" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 1" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 7% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and nor'easters in Rhode Island, 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 9 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 1 inch less of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and South Carolina
Comparison | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% - 5.99% | 0% - 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Health Care, Education, Financial Services | Aerospace, Automotive, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderately Wealthy | Modestly Wealthy |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Less Prevalent | Notable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 22% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 21% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in South Carolina is 0% - 7% compared to 3.75% - 5.99% in Rhode Island
- The affluence in South Carolina is modestly wealthy compared to moderately wealthy in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is higher in South Carolina compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is less prevalent in Rhode Island and notable in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Conservative, especially in rural areas |
Religion | Catholic majority | Evangelical Protestant majority |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic 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 an evangelical Protestant majority
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to South Carolina
Comparison | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Barrington; Community School Cumberland; Nayatt School Barrington | Buist Academy Charleston; Mount Pleasant Academy Mount Pleasant; Clemson Elementary Clemson |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle Barrington; Wickford Middle North Kingstown; Portsmouth Middle Portsmouth | Charleston School of the Arts North Charleston; Hand Middle Columbia; Gold Hill Middle Fort Mill |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High Providence; Barrington High Barrington; East Greenwich High East Greenwich | Academic Magnet High North Charleston; Charleston School of the Arts North Charleston; Wando High Mount Pleasant |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; The Wheeler School Providence | Porter-Gaud School Charleston; Hammond School Columbia; Christ Church Episcopal School Greenville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Wheeler School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; Moses Brown School Providence | Hammond School Columbia; Ashley Hall Charleston; Hilton Head Christian Academy Hilton Head Island |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools; East Greenwich Public Schools; Scituate Public Schools | Fort Mill School District; Lexington School District One; Charleston County School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 884 miles from Rhode Island 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
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,448 | 300 ft3 | $4.83 |
1 Bedroom | $2,153 | 450 ft3 | $4.78 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,556 | 750 ft3 | $4.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,169 | 1100 ft3 | $4.70 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,451 | 1600 ft3 | $4.66 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,306 | 1800 ft3 | $4.61 |
Top Rhode Island to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to South Carolina