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South Carolina to Illinois Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 828 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summer humidity vs cooler temperatures), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial and traditional vs prairie style and bungalows), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Illinois), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef Sandwich
  • Illinois housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in South Carolina
  • Rent in Illinois is 5.94% more expensive than in South Carolina
  • Moving from South Carolina to Illinois will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended South Carolina to Illinois movers is 606 Movers, Inc.

South Carolina to Illinois Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Illinois

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Hot summer humidity
  • Hurricane risk
  • Limited public transit
  • Rural areas
ProsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Cooler temperatures
  • Less severe weather
  • Efficient transportation
  • Urban amenities

Illinois iconIllinois
  • No ocean access
  • Cold, harsh winters
  • Less personal warmth
  • Higher expenses
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Beaches & coastline
  • Mild winters
  • Southern charm
  • Lower cost of living

Pros of moving from South Carolina to Illinois

  • Say goodbye to hot summer humidity and hello to cooler temperatures
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Illinois with less severe weather
  • Swap the limited public transit of South Carolina for efficient transportation in Illinois
  • Get ready for urban amenities in Illinois

Cons of moving from South Carolina to Illinois

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beaches and coastline in South Carolina to live with no ocean access in Illinois
  • You'll lose out on the pro of mild winters and have to settle for the con of cold, harsh winters
  • Time to bid farewell to southern charm and get used to less personal warmth in Illinois
  • Swap lower cost of living for higher expenses

South Carolina vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth CarolinaIllinois
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsChicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Most popular meat dishPulled Pork BBQItalian Beef Sandwich
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsChicago-style Hot Dog
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensDeep-Dish Vegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • Hominy Grill
  • Poogan's Porch
  • Lou Malnati's
  • Portillo's
  • Alinea
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from South Carolina to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef Sandwich and Chicago-style Hot Dog 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 Deep-Dish Vegan Pizza of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Poogan's Porch. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's, Portillo's, and Alinea.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Illinois

ComparisonSouth CarolinaIllinois
Typical Architecture StyleColonial and TraditionalPrairie Style and Bungalows
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 listingLarge yards, porchesEnergy efficiency, public transit access
  • The Colonial and Traditional architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Prairie Style and Bungalows architecture typical of Illinois.
  • Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and porches, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and public transit access.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than South Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
  • Illinois has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
  • Illinois housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to South Carolina’s $293,893.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased by 35% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
  • Rent in Illinois is 5.94% more expensive than in South Carolina.

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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaIllinois
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, floodsTornadoes, floods
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 71Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F / 38Β°F35Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.8"39"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"22"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Illinois. Illinois gets 13% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
  • Illinois has higher humidity and a lower 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 tornadoes and floods in Illinois.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 5 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
  • The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 10.8 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Illinois

ComparisonSouth CarolinaIllinois
Avg. Household Income$64,115$76,708
Cost of Living Index96.8594.25
State Income Tax0-7%4.95%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%2.05%
Avg. Sales Tax7.46%8.81%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Tourism, AgricultureServices, Finance, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 20% more than in South Carolina
  • The COLI in Illinois is 3% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
  • The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 0-7% in SC
  • The affluence in Illinois is high compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • The poverty level is low in Illinois compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and moderate in Illinois

Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Illinois

ComparisonSouth CarolinaIllinois
Political Make-upTraditionally conservativeLean towards liberalism
Local PoliticsSignificant Republican dominanceDiverse, with a Democratic stronghold
ReligionEvangelical Protestantism prevalentMore religiously diverse
  • South Carolina tends to lean traditionally conservative in its political climate
  • Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as leaning towards liberalism
  • Illinois' religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse
  • South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestantism prevalent

Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Illinois

ComparisonSouth CarolinaIllinois
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
University of Illinois
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBuist Academy (Charleston)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Forest Lake Elementary (Columbia)
Lincoln Elementary (River Forest)
South Loop Elementary (Chicago)
Meadow Glens Elementary (Naperville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsHand Middle School (Columbia)
Thomas C. Cario Middle (Mount Pleasant)
Blythewood Middle (Blythewood)
Skinner North Classical School (Chicago)
Maple School (Northbrook)
Kennedy Junior High (Lisle)
Top 3 High SchoolsAcademic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Wando High School (Mount Pleasant)
Payton College Preparatory (Chicago)
Northside College Preparatory (Chicago)
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Aurora)
Top 3 private high schoolsPorter-Gaud (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago)
Francis W. Parker School (Chicago)
Lake Forest Academy (Lake Forest)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsCharleston Day School (Charleston)
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia)
Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island)
Loyola Academy (Wilmette)
Morgan Park Academy (Chicago)
North Shore Country Day (Winnetka)
Top 3 School DistrictsCharleston County School District
Greenville County School District
Lexington 1 School District
New Trier Township High School District
Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Community High School District 128

How Much Do South Carolina to Illinois Movers Cost?

Moving 828 miles from South Carolina to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,672300 ft3$5.57
1 Bedroom$2,485450 ft3$5.52
2 Bedrooms$4,105750 ft3$5.47
3 Bedrooms$5,9651100 ft3$5.42
4 Bedrooms$8,5971600 ft3$5.37
5+ Bedrooms$9,5811800 ft3$5.32

Top South Carolina to Illinois Movers

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

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Illinois

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top South Carolina to Illinois Routes

Charleston to Illinois