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South Carolina to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 497 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs sunny climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (charleston single house vs mediterranean revival), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Florida), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
  • Florida housing costs are 35% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
  • Rent in Florida is 34.62% more expensive than in South Carolina
  • Moving from South Carolina to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended South Carolina to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More

South Carolina to Florida Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Florida

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Hurricane risks
  • Limited beach access
  • Higher state taxes
  • Humble tourism
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Sunny climate
  • Beautiful beaches
  • No income tax
  • Vibrant tourism

Florida iconFlorida
  • Hot summers
  • Busy cities
  • Less historical
  • Frequent rainfall
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Four seasons
  • Quiet towns
  • Rich history
  • Shorter rainy season

Pros of moving from South Carolina to Florida

  • Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to sunny climate
  • Look forward to moving away from limited beach access and moving to Florida with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the higher state taxes of South Carolina for no income tax in Florida
  • Get ready for vibrant tourism in Florida

Cons of moving from South Carolina to Florida

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in South Carolina to live with hot summers in Florida
  • You'll lose out on the pro of quiet towns and have to settle for the con of busy cities
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to less historical significance in Florida
  • Swap a shorter rainy season for frequent rainfall

South Carolina vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth CarolinaFlorida
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsKey Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishPulled Pork BBQCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsEmpanadas
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • Hominy Grill
  • Bertha's Kitchen
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Versailles Restaurant
  • Bern's Steak House
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 South Carolina to Florida, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Bertha's Kitchen. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Florida

ComparisonSouth CarolinaFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleCharleston Single HouseMediterranean Revival
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 listingHistoric homes, proximity to parksWaterfront, pools
  • The Charleston Single House architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Mediterranean Revival architecture typical of Florida.
  • Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference historic homes and proximity to parks, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like waterfronts and pools.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Florida is more walkable than South Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Florida is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
  • Florida has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
  • Florida housing costs are 35% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to South Carolina’s $293,893.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
  • Rent in Florida is 34.62% more expensive than in South Carolina.

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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaFlorida
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 DisastersHurricanes, FloodsHurricanes, Floods, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 71Β°F91Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)59Β°F / 38Β°F70Β°F / 48Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.8"53.7"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"0"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Carolina to Florida. Florida gets 9% more sunshine days than South Carolina.
  • Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Carolina.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes in Florida.
  • The average summer high temperature in Florida is 1 degree warmer than in South Carolina.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in South Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 3.9 more inches of rain compared to South Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Florida

ComparisonSouth CarolinaFlorida
Avg. Household Income$64,115$69,303
Cost of Living Index96.8597.8
State Income TaxUp to 7%0%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax7.44%7.05%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Finance, AgricultureTourism, Construction, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 8% more than in South Carolina
  • The COLI in Florida is 1% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
  • Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
  • The affluence in Florida is high compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and moderate in Florida

Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Florida

ComparisonSouth CarolinaFlorida
Political Make-upLean RepublicanSwing state
Local PoliticsConservativeMixed, varies by region
ReligionEvangelical Protestant predominateDiverse, Catholic and Protestant presence
  • South Carolina tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse, with Catholic and Protestant presence
  • South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Florida

ComparisonSouth CarolinaFlorida
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Miami
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBuist Academy (Charleston)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Clemson Elementary (Clemson)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Southside Elementary (Miami)
Freedom 7 Elementary (Cocoa Beach)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsRollings Middle School of the Arts (Summerville)
Greenville Middle Academy (Greenville)
Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill)
Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach)
Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami)
Falcon Cove Middle School (Weston)
Top 3 High SchoolsAcademic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Dutch Fork High (Irmo)
Stanton College Preparatory (Jacksonville)
Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Top 3 private high schoolsPorter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
Bolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Pine Crest School (Fort Lauderdale)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsHammond School (Columbia)
Porter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
Pine View School (Osprey)
Bolles School (Jacksonville)
American Heritage School (Plantation)
Top 3 School DistrictsGreenville County Schools
Lexington County School District One
Charleston County School District
St. Johns County School District
Sarasota County Schools
Okaloosa County School District

How Much Do South Carolina to Florida Movers Cost?

Moving 497 miles from South Carolina to Florida will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,262300 ft3$4.21
1 Bedroom$1,873450 ft3$4.16
2 Bedrooms$3,090750 ft3$4.12
3 Bedrooms$4,4861100 ft3$4.08
4 Bedrooms$6,4571600 ft3$4.04
5+ Bedrooms$7,1871800 ft3$3.99

Top South Carolina to Florida Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details