South Carolina to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

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
- Humid summers
- Hurricane risk
- Limited job market
- Fewer public transit options
- Less cultural diversity
- Cooler summers
- Less weather extremes
- Diverse career options
- Efficient transit systems
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher expense
- Urban hustle
- Colder winter
- Higher dining costs
- Fast-paced life
- 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Crab Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue Pork | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Grilled Vegetable Skewers |
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 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Traditional | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to beaches | Access 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 Carolinaβs $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
Comparison | South Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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, Flooding | Snowstorms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 71Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 42Β°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
Comparison | South Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 7% | 5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 1.1% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.44% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing | Biotechnology, Defense, IT |
Affluence | Modest | Affluent |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Significant | Minimal |
- 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Republican | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Conservative | Liberal |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Catholic |
- 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Mount 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 Schools | GREEN 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 Schools | Academic 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 Schools | Porter-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 Schools | Hammond 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 Districts | Fort 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,274 | 300 ft3 | $4.25 |
1 Bedroom | $1,892 | 450 ft3 | $4.20 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,122 | 750 ft3 | $4.16 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,532 | 1100 ft3 | $4.12 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,523 | 1600 ft3 | $4.08 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,262 | 1800 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.