Movers

South Carolina to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

Hero background image

Planning a 2,130 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs cooler summer climates), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Bison Steak), real estate & housing (colonial, traditional vs rustic, log cabin), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Montana), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Bison Steak & Elk Meatloaf
  • Montana housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
  • Rent in Montana is 14.73% more affordable than in South Carolina
  • Moving from South Carolina to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended South Carolina to Montana movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

South Carolina to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Montana

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Hot, humid summers
  • Hurricane risk
  • Heavy traffic
  • Pollen allergies
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Cooler summer climates
  • Lower natural disaster risk
  • Lighter traffic
  • Less pollen in the air

Montana iconMontana
  • Cold, harsh winters
  • Fewer Southern restaurant options
  • Landlocked state
  • Fewer established historical sites
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Warm winters
  • Southern cuisine
  • Proximity to beaches
  • Historical landmarks

Pros of moving from South Carolina to Montana

  • Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to cooler summer climates
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Montana with lower natural disaster risk
  • Swap the heavy traffic of South Carolina for lighter traffic in Montana
  • Get ready for less pollen in the air in Montana

Cons of moving from South Carolina to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from warm winters in South Carolina to live with cold, harsh winters in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of Southern cuisine and have to settle for the con of fewer Southern restaurant options
  • Time to bid farewell to proximity to beaches and get used to being in a landlocked state in Montana
  • Swap historical landmarks for fewer established historical sites

South Carolina vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMontana
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsBison Steak
Most popular meat dishPulled Pork BBQElk Meatloaf
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsHuckleberry Hand Pies
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensQuinoa Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • Bowens Island Restaurant
  • McCradys
  • The Notorious P.I.G BBQ
  • Buck's T-4 Lodge
  • Saffron Table
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from South Carolina to Montana, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Bison Steak of Montana. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Montana residents know they have tasty Elk Meatloaf and Huckleberry Hand Pies 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 Quinoa Salad of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Bowens Island Restaurant, and McCrady's. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Notorious P.I.G BBQ, Buck's T-4 Lodge, and Saffron Table.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Montana

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, TraditionalRustic, Log Cabin
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 listingHistoric properties, Beach proximityMountain views, Large acreage
  • The Colonial and Traditional architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Log Cabin architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference historic properties and beach proximity, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and large acreage.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Montana is less walkable than South Carolina.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Montana is less bike-friendly than South Carolina.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than South Carolina.
  • Montana housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to South Carolina’s $293,893.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
  • Rent in Montana is 14.73% more affordable than in South Carolina.

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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMontana
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, FloodsWildfires, Snowstorms
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 71Β°F82Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F / 38Β°F28Β°F / 12Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.815.3
Annual Snowfall (Inches)186
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Montana. Montana gets 6% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
  • Montana has lower 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 wildfires and snowstorms in Montana.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Montana is 8 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
  • The average winter lows in Montana are 26 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 34.5 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Montana

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMontana
Avg. Household Income$64,115$67,631
Cost of Living Index96.8599.4
State Income Tax3% - 7%1% - 6.9%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax6%0%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, TourismMining, Agriculture, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 5% more than those in South Carolina
  • The COLI in Montana is 3% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
  • The state income tax in MT is 1% - 6.9% compared to 3% - 7% in SC
  • The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • The poverty level is moderate in Montana compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and low in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Montana

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMontana
Political Make-upConservative, Republican-leaningConservative, with a mix of Democratic areas
Local PoliticsLocal politics often center around economic development and educationLocal politics frequently focus on land use, environmental conservation, and resource management
ReligionChristian dominance, particularly Evangelical ProtestantMixed religious landscape, but with a significant Christian presence
  • South Carolina tends to lean conservative and Republican-leaning in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as conservative with a mix of Democratic areas
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape but with a significant Christian presence
  • South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian dominance, particularly Evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Montana

ComparisonSouth CarolinaMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBuist Academy (Charleston)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Forest Lake Elementary (Columbia)
Bozeman Field School (Bozeman)
Cold Springs Elementary (Missoula)
Hawthorne School (Bozeman)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsHand Middle School (Columbia)
Rollings Middle School of the Arts (Summerville)
Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
Chief Joseph Middle School (Bozeman)
Top 3 High School SchoolsAcademic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Greenville Technical Charter High School (Greenville)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Sentinel High School (Missoula)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Top 3 private high schoolsPorter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Bozeman Summit School (Bozeman)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsHeathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
Pinewood Preparatory School (Summerville)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Valley Christian School (Missoula)
Montana City School (Montana City)
Top 3 School DistrictsCharleston County School District
Greenville County School District
Lexington-Richland School District Five
Bozeman School District
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings School District

How Much Do South Carolina to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,130 miles from South Carolina to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,410300 ft3$8.03
1 Bedroom$3,593450 ft3$7.98
2 Bedrooms$5,950750 ft3$7.93
3 Bedrooms$8,6721100 ft3$7.88
4 Bedrooms$12,5341600 ft3$7.83
5+ Bedrooms$14,0101800 ft3$7.78

Top South Carolina to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Montana

9.34/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Swamp Rabbit Moving

9.34/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Move Charleston featured image

Smooth Move Charleston

9.21/10
Exceptional
Top South Carolina to Montana Routes

Charleston to Montana