South Carolina to Maine Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,161 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humid summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs cape cod, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maine), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster
- Maine housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Maine is 9.92% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Maine will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Maine movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

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

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Maine
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Smooth Move Charleston
South Carolina to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Maine
- humid summers
- hurricane risk
- crowded beaches
- mosquitoes
- high humidity
- cooler climate
- minimal natural disasters
- pristine landscapes
- less insect nuisance
- crisp air
- cold, snowy winters
- limited seafood options
- more reserved culture
- limited golf courses
- warm winters
- southern cuisine
- southern hospitality
- golfing options
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Maine
- Say goodbye to humid summers and hello to a cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Maine with minimal natural disasters
- Swap the crowded beaches of South Carolina for pristine landscapes in Maine
- Get ready for less insect nuisance in Maine
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in South Carolina to live with cold and snowy winters in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of Southern cuisine and have to settle for the con of limited seafood options
- Time to bid farewell to Southern hospitality and get used to a more reserved culture in Maine
- Swap golfing options for limited golf courses
South Carolina vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Lobster |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Whoopie Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Blueberry Smoothie |
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 Maine, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster and Whoopie Pie 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 Blueberry Smoothie of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Bowens Island Restaurant, and Hominy Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Maine, don't wait too long before making your way to Maine's acclaimed eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and Duckfat.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Maine
Comparison | South Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Cape Cod, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large Yards, Porches | Waterfront, Proximity to Nature |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod and Colonial architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and porches, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront access and proximity to nature.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maine is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maine is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Maine housing costs are 34% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased 70% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Maine is 9.92% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Maine
Comparison | South Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Ice Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 40Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8 | 46.2 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 75 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Maine. Maine gets 8% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Maine 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 blizzards and ice storms in Maine.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Maine is 11 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 27 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Maine. Maine receives 3.6 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Maine
Comparison | South Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 3-7% | 5.8-7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.09% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Retail, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Lower | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 8% more than those in South Carolina
- The COLI in Maine will be 20% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8-7.15% compared to 3-7% in SC
- The affluence in Maine is moderate compared to moderate affluence in South Carolina
- The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to moderate poverty in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in South Carolina and lower in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Maine
Comparison | South Carolina | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Republican-leaning; GOP holds the governor's office and strong legislative majorities; generally conservative policy orientation. | Leans Democratic in recent statewide/federal races; frequent split-ticket outcomes; independents have a notable presence; ranked-choice voting used for state and federal elections. |
Local Politics | Local elections are often nonpartisan, but urban centers tend to be more moderate while suburban/rural areas are more conservative; common priorities include growth management, infrastructure, schools, and public safety. | Strong tradition of local control via town meetings and select boards; pragmatic, issue-focused politics; coastal/southern areas lean more liberal, interior/northern areas more conservative; priorities include property taxes, land use, fisheries/forestry, broadband, and heating costs. |
Religion | Higher overall religiosity; large Evangelical Protestant presence; churches play a prominent role in community life. | Lower overall religiosity; higher share of religiously unaffiliated; mix of mainline Protestant and Catholic communities. |
- South Carolina tends to lean Republican in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Maine's religious environment can be described as having lower overall religiosity and a higher share of the religiously unaffiliated, along with a mix of mainline Protestant and Catholic communities
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having higher overall religiosity, a large Evangelical Protestant presence, and churches that play a prominent role in community life
How Much Do South Carolina to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 1,161 miles from South Carolina to Maine will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- 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 | $1,582 | 300 ft3 | $5.27 |
1 Bedroom | $2,353 | 450 ft3 | $5.23 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,890 | 750 ft3 | $5.19 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,659 | 1100 ft3 | $5.14 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,163 | 1600 ft3 | $5.10 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,107 | 1800 ft3 | $5.06 |