South Carolina to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

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
- Hot, humid summers
- Hurricane risk
- Heavy traffic
- Pollen allergies
- Cooler summer climates
- Lower natural disaster risk
- Lighter traffic
- Less pollen in the air
- Cold, harsh winters
- Fewer Southern restaurant options
- Landlocked state
- Fewer established historical sites
- 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Bison Steak |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Elk Meatloaf |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Huckleberry Hand Pies |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Quinoa Salad |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Montana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Traditional | Rustic, Log Cabin |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Historic properties, Beach proximity | Mountain 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 Carolinaβs $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
Comparison | South Carolina | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 82Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 28Β°F / 12Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8 | 15.3 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 86 |
- 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 7% | 1% - 6.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism | Mining, Agriculture, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, Republican-leaning | Conservative, with a mix of Democratic areas |
Local Politics | Local politics often center around economic development and education | Local politics frequently focus on land use, environmental conservation, and resource management |
Religion | Christian dominance, particularly Evangelical Protestant | Mixed 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
Comparison | South Carolina | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Buist 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 Schools | Hand 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 Schools | Academic 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 schools | Porter-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 schools | Heathwood 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 Districts | Charleston 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,410 | 300 ft3 | $8.03 |
1 Bedroom | $3,593 | 450 ft3 | $7.98 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,950 | 750 ft3 | $7.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,672 | 1100 ft3 | $7.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,534 | 1600 ft3 | $7.83 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,010 | 1800 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.

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