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South Carolina to Maryland Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 523 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler summers), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, traditional vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Barbecue Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Fried Chicken
  • Maryland housing costs are 41% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
  • Rent in Maryland is 12.89% more expensive than in South Carolina
  • Moving from South Carolina to Maryland will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended South Carolina to Maryland movers is AT Movers

South Carolina to Maryland Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Maryland

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Humid summers
  • Hurricane risk
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer public transit options
  • Less cultural diversity
ProsMaryland iconMaryland
  • Cooler summers
  • Less weather extremes
  • Diverse career options
  • Efficient transit systems
  • Rich cultural scene

Maryland iconMaryland
  • Higher expense
  • Urban hustle
  • Colder winter
  • Higher dining costs
  • Fast-paced life
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Lower cost of living
  • Charming small towns
  • Beach access
  • Southern cuisine
  • Relaxed lifestyle

Pros of moving from South Carolina to Maryland

  • Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Maryland with less weather extremes
  • Swap the limited job market of South Carolina for diverse career options in Maryland
  • Get ready for efficient transit systems in Maryland

Cons of moving from South Carolina to Maryland

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in South Carolina to live with higher expenses in Maryland
  • You'll lose out on the pro of charming small towns and have to settle for the con of urban hustle
  • Time to bid farewell to beach access and get used to colder winters in Maryland
  • Swap southern cuisine for higher dining costs

South Carolina vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMaryland
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsCrab Cakes
Most popular meat dishBarbecue PorkFried Chicken
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsSoft Shell Crab Sandwich
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensGrilled Vegetable Skewers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • Hominy Grill
  • Poogan's Porch
  • Phillips Seafood
  • Bertha's Mussels
  • Faidley's Seafood
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 Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Barbecue Pork and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Maryland residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich 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 Grilled Vegetable Skewers of Maryland. 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 Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Phillips Seafood, Bertha's Mussels, and Faidley's Seafood.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Maryland

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMaryland
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, TraditionalColonial, Cape Cod
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, proximity to beachesAccess to public transit, community amenities
  • The Colonial and Traditional architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
  • Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to beaches, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transit and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than South Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
  • Maryland has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
  • Maryland housing costs are 41% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to South Carolina’s $293,893.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
  • Rent in Maryland is 12.89% more expensive than in South Carolina.

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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMaryland
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, FloodingSnowstorms, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)91Β°F / 71Β°F87Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F / 38Β°F42Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.8"41.5"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)1"20.6"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Maryland. Maryland gets 5% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
  • Maryland has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to South Carolina.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in Maryland.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 4 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
  • The average winter lows in Maryland are 9 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 8.3 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Maryland

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMaryland
Avg. Household Income$64,115$94,991
Cost of Living Index96.85124.95
State Income Tax7%5.75%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%1.1%
Avg. Sales Tax7.44%6%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Tourism, ManufacturingBiotechnology, Defense, IT
AffluenceModestAffluent
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessSignificantMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 48% more than in South Carolina
  • The COLI in Maryland will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
  • The state income tax in MD is 5.75% compared to 7% in SC
  • The affluence in Maryland is affluent compared to modest in South Carolina
  • The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in South Carolina and minimal in Maryland

Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Maryland

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMaryland
Political Make-upLeans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsConservativeLiberal
ReligionEvangelical ProtestantCatholic
  • South Carolina tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Maryland's religious environment can be described as Catholic
  • South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Maryland

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMaryland
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
University of Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Towson University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Buist Academy (Charleston)
Riverview Charter School (Beaufort)
Cold Spring Elementary School (Potomac)
Folger McKinsey Elementary School (Severna Park)
Stone Mill Elementary School (North Potomac)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsGREEN Charter School (Greenville)
Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Eastern Middle School (Silver Spring)
Takoma Park Middle School (Takoma Park)
Burleigh Manor Middle School (Ellicott City)
Top 3 High SchoolsAcademic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville)
Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda)
Poolesville High School (Poolesville)
Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville)
Top 3 Private High SchoolsPorter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
Holton-Arms School (Bethesda)
McDonogh School (Owings Mills)
Top 3 Private K-12 SchoolsHammond School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island)
Gilman School (Baltimore)
St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Potomac)
Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore)
Top 3 School DistrictsFort Mill School District
Lexington 1 School District
Charleston County School District
Howard County Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
Anne Arundel County Public Schools

How Much Do South Carolina to Maryland Movers Cost?

Moving 523 miles from South Carolina to Maryland 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 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,274300 ft3$4.25
1 Bedroom$1,892450 ft3$4.20
2 Bedrooms$3,122750 ft3$4.16
3 Bedrooms$4,5321100 ft3$4.12
4 Bedrooms$6,5231600 ft3$4.08
5+ Bedrooms$7,2621800 ft3$4.03

Top South Carolina to Maryland Movers

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

TOP PICK
AT Movers featured image

AT Movers

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Maryland

9.65/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
AJ Moving Services LLC featured image

AJ Moving Services LLC

9.57/10
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 Maryland Routes

Charleston to Maryland