South Carolina to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 917 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs cooler climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Chowder & Baked Beans and Franks
- Massachusetts housing costs are 108% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Massachusetts is 53.62% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage
South Carolina to Massachusetts Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Massachusetts
- Humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Limited public transit
- Sparse cultural hubs
- Cooler climate
- Pleasant fall season
- Robust public transport
- Rich cultural history
- Intense snowfall
- High cost of living
- Higher food prices
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Mild winters
- Lower living costs
- Southern cuisine
- Casual lifestyle
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Massachusetts
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to a cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Massachusetts with a pleasant fall season
- Swap the limited public transit of South Carolina for robust public transport in Massachusetts
- Get ready for a rich cultural history in Massachusetts
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Massachusetts
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in South Carolina to live with intense snowfall in Massachusetts
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower living costs and have to settle for the con of high cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to southern cuisine and get used to higher food prices in Massachusetts
- Swap a casual lifestyle for a fast-paced lifestyle
South Carolina vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Clam Chowder |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Baked Beans and Franks |
Most popular street food item | Fried Green Tomatoes | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Quinoa Salad |
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 South Carolina to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Fried Green Tomatoes, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Baked Beans and Franks and Lobster Roll 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 Quinoa Salad of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and FIG. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Legal Sea Foods, Neptune Oyster, and Union Oyster House.
When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts, compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Massachusetts
Comparison | South Carolina | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, porches | Proximity to transit, historic charm |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Massachusetts.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and porches, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Massachusetts is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Massachusetts housing costs are 108% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Massachusetts is 53.62% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Massachusetts
Comparison | South Carolina | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F/70Β°F | 82Β°F/62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F/38Β°F | 38Β°F/22Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 7% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Massachusetts has lower 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 snowstorms and nor'easters in Massachusetts.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 8 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Massachusetts
Comparison | South Carolina | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $94,488 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 121.55 |
State Income Tax | 0% - 7% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.5% | 1.2% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture | Healthcare, Education, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Medium | Low |
Homelessness | Average | Above Average |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 47% more than those in South Carolina
- The COLI in Massachusetts is 26% higher than what you are used to in South Carolina
- The state income tax in MA is 5% compared to 0% - 7% in SC
- The affluence in Massachusetts is high compared to moderate in South Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to medium in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is average in South Carolina and above average in Massachusetts
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Massachusetts
Comparison | South Carolina | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservatively inclined, Republican | Liberal, leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed, with a strong Republican presence in governance | Strong Democratic influence in local and state governance |
Religion | Primarily Evangelical Christian, with significant Baptist and Methodist communities | More secular, with a mix of Catholic and Protestant presence |
- South Carolina tends to lean conservatively inclined and Republican in its political climate
- Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as liberal and leans Democratic
- Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as more secular with a mix of Catholic and Protestant presence
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Evangelical Christian with significant Baptist and Methodist communities
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Massachusetts
Comparison | South Carolina | Massachusetts |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | Harvard University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Forestbrook Elementary School (Myrtle Beach) | John D. Hardy Elementary (Wellesley) Joseph Estabrook School (Lexington) Wampatuck Elementary (Scituate) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Montessori School of Anderson (Anderson) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Langford Middle School (Columbia) | William Diamond Middle School (Lexington) Blanchard Middle School (Westford) Raymond J. Grey Junior High (Acton) |
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) | Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (Worcester) Boston Latin School (Boston) Lexington High School (Lexington) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) | Phillips Academy (Andover) Groton School (Groton) Milton Academy (Milton) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Trident Academy (Mount Pleasant) Cambridge Academy (Greenwood) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) | Roxbury Latin School (West Roxbury) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Cambridge) The Winsor School (Boston) |
Top 3 School Districts | Lexington School District One Greenville County Schools Fort Mill Schools | Lexington Public Schools Weston Public Schools Wellesley Public Schools |
How Much Do South Carolina to Massachusetts Movers Cost?
Moving 917 miles from South Carolina to Massachusetts 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,464 | 300 ft3 | $4.88 |
1 Bedroom | $2,177 | 450 ft3 | $4.84 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,596 | 750 ft3 | $4.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,228 | 1100 ft3 | $4.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,536 | 1600 ft3 | $4.71 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,402 | 1800 ft3 | $4.67 |
Top South Carolina to Massachusetts Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Massachusetts