South Carolina to Michigan Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 923 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Michigan? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Michigan across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs mild summers), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Cherry Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs bungalow, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Michigan), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Cherry Pie & Pasties
- Michigan housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Michigan is 12.23% more affordable than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Michigan will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Michigan movers is Pro-Low Moving
South Carolina to Michigan Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Michigan
- Hot summers
- Hurricane risk
- Limited snow
- Southern cuisine focus
- Less urban variety
- Mild summers
- Minimal hurricane threat
- Winter activities
- More diverse food options
- More urban centers
- Cold, snowy winters
- No ocean access
- Less southern culture
- Fewer historic towns
- Potential for higher costs
- Warmer winters
- Beach access
- Southern hospitality
- Rich history
- Lower cost of living
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Michigan
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to mild summers
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Michigan with minimal hurricane threat
- Swap the limited snow of South Carolina for winter activities in Michigan
- Get ready for more diverse food options in Michigan
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Michigan
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warmer winters in South Carolina to live with cold snowy winters in Michigan
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle for the con of no ocean access
- Time to bid farewell to southern hospitality and get used to less southern culture in Michigan
- Swap rich history for fewer historic towns
South Carolina vs. Michigan: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Cherry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled pork BBQ | Pasties |
Most popular street food item | Fried Green Tomatoes | Coney dog |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Tempeh Reubens |
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 Michigan, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Cherry Pie of Michigan. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Fried Green Tomatoes, Michigan residents know they have tasty Pasties and Coney Dogs 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 Tempeh Reubens of Michigan. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Poi Dog. After the boxes are unpacked in Michigan, don't wait too long before making your way to Michigan's acclaimed eateries like Zingerman's Deli, Slows Bar BQ, and Cliff Bell's.
When comparing lifestyles, Michigan shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Michigan compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Michigan.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Michigan
Comparison | South Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Bungalow, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Waterfront views | Lakeside properties, Garage spaces |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Bungalow and Ranch architecture typical of Michigan.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and waterfront views, Michigan real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside properties and garage spaces.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Michigan is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Michigan is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Michigan has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Michigan housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $239,770 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Michigan have increased by 45% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Michigan is 12.23% more affordable than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Michigan
Comparison | South Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 81Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 31Β°F / 17Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.57 | 32.76 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 60.66 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Michigan. Michigan gets 21% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Michigan 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 snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Michigan is 9 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Michigan. Michigan receives 16.8 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Michigan
Comparison | South Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $66,986 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 7.00% | 4.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.45% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Textiles, Tourism, Manufacturing | Automotive, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Medium | Medium |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Michigan tend to earn about 4% more than in South Carolina
- The COLI in Michigan will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in MI is 4.25% compared to 7.00% in SC
- The affluence in Michigan is moderate compared to moderate in South Carolina
- The poverty level is medium in Michigan compared to medium in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and moderate in Michigan
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Michigan
Comparison | South Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Swing State |
Local Politics | Strong focus on state rights | Industrially and socially progressive |
Religion | Evangelical Protestants prominent | Diverse; Catholic and Protestant presence |
- South Carolina tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Michigan, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
- Michigan's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a Catholic and Protestant presence
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly evangelical Protestants
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Michigan
Comparison | South Carolina | Michigan |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Clemson University University of South Carolina College of Charleston | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mitchell Road Elementary (Greenville) Oakview Elementary (Simpsonville) | Thornapple Elementary (Grand Rapids) Deerfield Elementary (Novi) Bates Elementary (Dexter) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Moultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Riverside Middle School (Greer) | Mill Creek Middle School (Dexter) East Middle School (Farmington Hills) Boulan Park Middle School (Troy) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) | International Academy (Bloomfield Hills) Troy High School (Troy) Novi High School (Novi) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Roeper School (Birmingham) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) | Cranbrook Schools (Bloomfield Hills) Detroit Country Day School (Beverly Hills) Greenhills School (Ann Arbor) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Mill School District Lexington 1 School District Charleston County School District | East Grand Rapids Public Schools Novi Community School District Troy School District |
How Much Do South Carolina to Michigan Movers Cost?
Moving 923 miles from South Carolina to Michigan 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,726 | 300 ft3 | $5.75 |
1 Bedroom | $2,566 | 450 ft3 | $5.70 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,239 | 750 ft3 | $5.65 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,163 | 1100 ft3 | $5.60 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,884 | 1600 ft3 | $5.55 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,905 | 1800 ft3 | $5.50 |
Top South Carolina to Michigan Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Michigan movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Michigan