South Carolina to Georgia Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 185 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Georgia? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Georgia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs less hurricane impact), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Peach Cobbler), real estate & housing (colonial, charleston singles vs antebellum, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Peach Cobbler & Fried Chicken
- Georgia housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Georgia is 9.86% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Georgia will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Georgia movers is Moving Etc
South Carolina to Georgia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Georgia
- Hurricane risks
- Limited public transportation
- Fewer professional opportunities
- Hot, humid summers
- Less hurricane impact
- Better transit options
- Diverse job market
- Milder summer climate
- Less rural appeal
- Less relaxed atmosphere
- Higher real estate prices
- Overcrowded favorite spots
- Charming small towns
- Southern hospitality
- Coastal living
- Rich history
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Georgia
- Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to less hurricane impact
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transportation and moving to Georgia with better transit options
- Swap the fewer professional opportunities of South Carolina for a diverse job market in Georgia
- Get ready for a milder summer climate in Georgia
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Georgia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from charming small towns in South Carolina to live with less rural appeal in Georgia
- You'll lose out on the pro of Southern hospitality and have to settle with the con of a less relaxed atmosphere
- Time to bid farewell to coastal living and get used to higher real estate prices in Georgia
- Swap rich history for overcrowded favorite spots
South Carolina vs. Georgia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Peach Cobbler |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Chicken Biscuits |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Black-Eyed Peas |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 South Carolina to Georgia, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Peach Cobbler of Georgia. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Georgia residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Chicken Biscuits 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 Black-Eyed Peas of Georgia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, FIG, and Hominy Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Georgia, don't wait too long before making your way to Georgia's acclaimed eateries like The Varsity, Mary Mac's Tea Room, and Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Georgia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Georgia, compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Georgia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Georgia
Comparison | South Carolina | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Charleston singles | Antebellum, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Coastal views, historic districts | City life, green spaces |
- The Colonial and Charleston singles architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum and Craftsman architecture typical of Georgia.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings, which commonly reference coastal views and historic districts, Georgia real estate listings often highlight features like city life and green spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Georgia is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Georgia is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Georgia has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Georgia housing costs are 11% more expensive than they are in South Carolina with a median home price of $327,174 compared to South Carolina's $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Georgia have increased by 64% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Georgia is 9.86% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Georgia
Comparison | South Carolina | Georgia |
---|---|---|
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, Floods | Hurricanes, Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 89Β°F / 70Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 57Β°F / 35Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.57 | 50.20 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 2 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from South Carolina to Georgia. Georgia gets 1% more sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Georgia 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 and thunderstorms in Georgia.
- The average summer high temperature in Georgia is 1 degree colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Georgia. Georgia receives 0.6 more inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Georgia
Comparison | South Carolina | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $72,837 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 93.35 |
State Income Tax | Up to 7% | Up to 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 0.91% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.44% | 7.29% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture | Film, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Georgia tend to earn about 14% more than those in South Carolina
- The COLI in Georgia will be 4% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in GA is up to 5.75% compared to up to 7% in SC
- The affluence in Georgia is higher compared to moderate affluence in South Carolina
- The poverty level is moderate in Georgia compared to noticeable poverty in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in South Carolina and higher in Georgia
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Georgia
Comparison | South Carolina | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Increasingly Swing State |
Local Politics | Local Government tends to lean Republican | Mixed, with urban areas leaning Democratic and rural areas leaning Republican |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Evangelical Protestant, but with a growing diversity of religious beliefs |
- South Carolina tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- Georgia, on the other hand, is often described as increasingly a Swing State
- Georgia's religious environment can be described as evangelical Protestant but with a growing diversity of religious beliefs
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Georgia
Comparison | South Carolina | Georgia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | University of Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) Forest Lake Elementary (Columbia) | Brandon Elementary School (Atlanta) Kedron Elementary School (Peachtree City) Avery Elementary School (Canton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Rollings Middle School of the Arts (Summerville) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Langford Middle School (Columbia) | River Trail Middle School (Johns Creek) South Forsyth Middle School (Cumming) Dickerson Middle School (Marietta) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Dutch Fork High School (Irmo) | Northview High School (Johns Creek) Walton High School (Marietta) Gwinnett School of Mathematics Science and Technology (Lawrenceville) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) | Westminster Schools (Atlanta) Pace Academy (Atlanta) The Lovett School (Atlanta) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) Ashley Hall (Charleston) Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) | Woodward Academy (College Park) Atlanta International School (Atlanta) Holy Innocents' Episcopal School (Atlanta) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington 1 Fort Mill Schools Charleston County School District | Fulton County Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools Cobb County School District |
How Much Do South Carolina to Georgia Movers Cost?
Moving 185 miles from South Carolina to Georgia will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Atlanta Home Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,111 | 300 ft3 | $3.70 |
1 Bedroom | $1,648 | 450 ft3 | $3.66 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,714 | 750 ft3 | $3.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,934 | 1100 ft3 | $3.58 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,655 | 1600 ft3 | $3.53 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,285 | 1800 ft3 | $3.49 |
Top South Carolina to Georgia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Georgia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Moving Etc
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Georgia