South Carolina to Louisiana Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 766 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Louisiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Louisiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs rich cultural heritage), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Gumbo), real estate & housing (colonial, charleston style vs creole, colonial), 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 Gumbo & Jambalaya
- Louisiana housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Louisiana is 20.37% more affordable than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Louisiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Louisiana movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
South Carolina to Louisiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Louisiana
- High humidity
- Hurricane season risk
- Limited seafood options
- High property taxes
- Few urban centers
- Rich cultural heritage
- Famous Mardi Gras
- Cajun cuisine
- Lower cost of living
- Diverse nightlife
- Less coastline
- Fewer historic landmarks
- Hot and humid
- Flood-prone areas
- Limited golfing options
- Beautiful beaches
- Historic Charleston
- Mild winters
- Outdoor recreation
- Great golf courses
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Louisiana
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to rich cultural heritage
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane season risk and moving to Louisiana with famous Mardi Gras
- Swap the limited seafood options of South Carolina for Cajun cuisine in Louisiana
- Get ready for a lower cost of living in Louisiana
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Louisiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in South Carolina to live with less coastline in Louisiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of historic Charleston and have to settle with the con of fewer historic landmarks
- Time to bid farewell to mild winters and get used to hot and humid weather in Louisiana
- Swap outdoor recreation for flood-prone areas
South Carolina vs. Louisiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Gumbo |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Jambalaya |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Po'boys |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Red Beans and Rice (no meat) |
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 Louisiana, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Gumbo of Louisiana. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Louisiana residents know they have tasty Jambalaya and Po'boys 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 Red Beans and Rice (no meat) of Louisiana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and McCrady's. After the boxes are unpacked in Louisiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Louisiana's acclaimed eateries like Commander's Palace, CafΓ© du Monde, and Willie Mae's Scotch House.
When comparing lifestyles, Louisiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Louisiana, compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Louisiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Louisiana
Comparison | South Carolina | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Charleston Style | Creole, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Porches | French Doors, Courtyards |
- The Colonial and Charleston Style architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Creole and Colonial architecture typical of Louisiana.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and porches, Louisiana real estate listings often highlight features like French doors and courtyards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Louisiana is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Louisiana is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Louisiana has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Louisiana housing costs are 32% less expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $199,091 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Louisiana have increased by 13% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Louisiana is 20.37% more affordable than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Louisiana
Comparison | South Carolina | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 91Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 59Β°F / 37Β°F | 62Β°F / 42Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8" | 60" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | <1" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Louisiana. Louisiana gets 1% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Louisiana 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 floods in Louisiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Louisiana is 1 degree warmer than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows in Louisiana are 5 degrees warmer than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Louisiana. Louisiana receives 10.2 more inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Louisiana
Comparison | South Carolina | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $55,416 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 96 |
State Income Tax | 7% | 6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 0.52% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.44% | 9.45% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture | Energy, Tourism, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Noticeable | Significant |
Homelessness | Manageable | Pressing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Louisiana tend to earn about 14% less than in South Carolina
- The COLI in Louisiana is 1% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in LA is 6% compared to 7% in SC
- The affluence in Louisiana is varied compared to moderate in South Carolina
- The poverty level is significant in Louisiana compared to noticeable in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in South Carolina and pressing in Louisiana
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Louisiana
Comparison | South Carolina | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative-leaning | Mixed, with conservative dominance outside major cities |
Local Politics | Strong GOP presence | Democrat strongholds in cities, GOP in rural areas |
Religion | Protestantism predominates | A mix of Catholicism and Protestantism |
- South Carolina tends to lean conservative-leaning in its political climate
- Louisiana, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with conservative dominance outside major cities
- Louisiana's religious environment can be described as a mix of Catholicism and Protestantism
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestantism predominates
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Louisiana
Comparison | South Carolina | Louisiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Clemson University University of South Carolina College of Charleston | Louisiana State University Tulane University University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charleston Development Academy (Charleston) Buist Academy (Charleston) Mitchell Road Elementary (Greenville) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) South Highlands Elementary Magnet (Shreveport) Baton Rouge Foreign Language Academy Immersion Magnet (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Langford Middle School (Columbia) Belle Hall Elementary School (Mount Pleasant) HAND Middle School (Columbia) | Lusher Charter School (New Orleans) Caddo Parish Middle Magnet School (Shreveport) Glasgow Middle School (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) | Benjamin Franklin High School (New Orleans) Baton Rouge Magnet High School (Baton Rouge) Caddo Parish Magnet High School (Shreveport) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) | Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) Metairie Park Country Day School (Metairie) Episcopal School of Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Trident Academy (Mt. Pleasant) Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg) Carolina Day School (Asheville) | Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts (Natchitoches) Dunham School (Baton Rouge) University Lab School (Baton Rouge) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington School District One Greenville County School District Fort Mill School District | Zachary Community School District Central Community School System Ascension Parish School Board |
How Much Do South Carolina to Louisiana Movers Cost?
Moving 766 miles from South Carolina to Louisiana 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,637 | 300 ft3 | $5.46 |
1 Bedroom | $2,433 | 450 ft3 | $5.41 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,017 | 750 ft3 | $5.36 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,836 | 1100 ft3 | $5.31 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,409 | 1600 ft3 | $5.26 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,370 | 1800 ft3 | $5.21 |
Top South Carolina to Louisiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Louisiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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