Movers

South Carolina to Minnesota Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,380 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like summer humidity vs cooler summers), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial, charleston-style vs prairie, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Minnesota), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Barbecue Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Hotdish & Walleye
  • Minnesota housing costs are 13% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
  • Rent in Minnesota is 0.83% more expensive than in South Carolina
  • Moving from South Carolina to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended South Carolina to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers

South Carolina to Minnesota Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Minnesota

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Summer humidity
  • Hurricane risk
  • Lack of winter activities
  • Limited public transit
  • High pollen levels
ProsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Cooler summers
  • Severe weather less frequent
  • Numerous winter sports
  • Better transportation options
  • Lower allergy triggers

Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Harsh winters
  • No ocean beaches
  • Diverse but different food
  • Higher heating costs
  • Cultural adjustment
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Mild winters
  • Coastal beaches
  • Southern cuisine
  • Lower heating costs
  • Familiar culture

Pros of moving from South Carolina to Minnesota

  • Say goodbye to summer humidity and hello to cooler summers
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Minnesota with severe weather less frequent
  • Swap the lack of winter activities of South Carolina for numerous winter sports in Minnesota
  • Get ready for better transportation options in Minnesota

Cons of moving from South Carolina to Minnesota

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in South Carolina to live with harsh winters in Minnesota
  • You'll lose out on the pro of coastal beaches and have to settle for the con of no ocean beaches
  • Time to bid farewell to southern cuisine and get used to diverse but different food in Minnesota
  • Swap lower heating costs for higher heating costs

South Carolina vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMinnesota
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsHotdish
Most popular meat dishBarbecue Pulled PorkWalleye
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsJuicy Lucy Burger
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensWild Rice Soup
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Barbecue Pulled Pork and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Walleye and Juicy Lucy Burger 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 Wild Rice Soup of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Home Team BBQ, and Fleet Landing. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Spoon and Stable, Matt's Bar, and Surly Brewing Co.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Minnesota

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMinnesota
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Charleston-stylePrairie, Craftsman
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 listingSpacious yards, proximity to beachesLakeside views, energy efficiency
  • The Colonial and Charleston-style architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Craftsman architecture typical of Minnesota.
  • Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to beaches, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside views and energy efficiency.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Minnesota is more walkable than South Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Minnesota is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
  • Minnesota has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
  • Minnesota housing costs are 13% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to South Carolina’s $293,893.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
  • Rent in Minnesota is 0.83% more expensive than in South Carolina.

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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMinnesota
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, FloodsBlizzards, Tornadoes
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 71Β°F83Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)58Β°F / 38Β°F24Β°F / 7Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.830.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)160
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 9% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
  • Minnesota 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 tornadoes in Minnesota.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 7 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
  • The average winter lows are 31 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 19.6 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Minnesota

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMinnesota
Avg. Household Income$64,115$82,338
Cost of Living Index96.8598.75
State Income Tax7%9.85%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%1.10%
Avg. Sales Tax7.46%7.38%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Tourism, AgricultureHealthcare, Manufacturing, Education
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyNotableLower
HomelessnessVisibleLesser
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 28% more than those in South Carolina
  • The COLI in Minnesota will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
  • The state income tax in MN is 9.85% compared to 7% in SC
  • The affluence in Minnesota is higher compared to moderate affluence in South Carolina
  • The poverty level is lower in Minnesota compared to notable poverty in South Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in South Carolina and lesser in Minnesota

Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Minnesota

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMinnesota
Political Make-upConservative-leaningLiberal-leaning
Local PoliticsRepublican dominanceDemocratic-Farmer-Labor Party prevalence
ReligionEvangelical ProtestantLutheran
  • South Carolina tends to lean conservative in its political climate
  • Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
  • Minnesota's religious environment can be described as Lutheran
  • South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Minnesota

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMinnesota
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Clemson University
University of South Carolina
College of Charleston
University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University
St. Olaf College
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBuist Academy (Charleston)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Forestbrook Elementary School (Myrtle Beach)
Scenic Heights Elementary School (Minnetonka)
Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven)
Creek Valley Elementary (Edina)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCharleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Greenville Middle Academy (Greenville)
Marrington Middle School of the Arts (Goose Creek)
Wayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth)
Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka)
Twin Oaks Middle School (Prior Lake)
Top 3 High SchoolsAcademic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Dutch Fork High School (Irmo)
Minnetonka High School (Minnetonka)
Eden Prairie High School (Eden Prairie)
Edina High School (Edina)
Top 3 private high schoolsPorter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg)
Breck School (Golden Valley)
The Blake School (Minneapolis)
St. Paul Academy and Summit School (St. Paul)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsHilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island)
Charles Towne Montessori (Charleston)
Greenwood Christian School (Greenwood)
Breck School (Golden Valley)
The Blake School (Minneapolis)
Mounds Park Academy (Saint Paul)
Top 3 School DistrictsLexington 1
Fort Mill Schools
Greenville County School District
Minnetonka Public Schools
Edina Public Schools
Wayzata Public Schools

How Much Do South Carolina to Minnesota Movers Cost?

Moving 1,380 miles from South Carolina to Minnesota will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 4-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,985300 ft3$6.62
1 Bedroom$2,955450 ft3$6.57
2 Bedrooms$4,887750 ft3$6.52
3 Bedrooms$7,1131100 ft3$6.47
4 Bedrooms$10,2661600 ft3$6.42
5+ Bedrooms$11,4591800 ft3$6.37

Top South Carolina to Minnesota Movers

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

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Minnesota

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Swamp Rabbit Moving

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details