South Carolina to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 241 mile interstate move from South Carolina to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher humidity vs moderate climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial, charleston-style vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in North Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Pulled Pork Sandwich
- North Carolina housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in North Carolina is 4.81% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC
South Carolina to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to North Carolina
- Higher humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Fewer job opportunities
- Less public transport
- Limited cultural events
- Moderate climate
- Less severe weather
- Robust job market
- More transit options
- Rich cultural scene
- Higher living expenses
- More urban lifestyle
- Less traditional vibe
- Colder winter temperatures
- More crowded cities
- Lower cost of living
- Close-knit communities
- Southern charm
- Mild winter weather
- Smaller town feel
Pros of moving from South Carolina to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to higher humidity and hello to a moderate climate
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to North Carolina with less severe weather
- Swap the fewer job opportunities of South Carolina for a robust job market in North Carolina
- Get ready for more transit options in North Carolina
Cons of moving from South Carolina to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in South Carolina to live with higher living expenses in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of a more urban lifestyle
- Time to bid farewell to southern charm and get used to a less traditional vibe in North Carolina
- Swap mild winter weather for colder winter temperatures
South Carolina vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Pulled Pork Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Hot Dogs with Chili and Slaw |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | BBQ Tofu |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Hot Dogs with Chili and Slaw 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 BBQ Tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Poogan's Porch. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, 12 Bones Smokehouse, and Buxton Hall Barbecue.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and North Carolina
Comparison | South Carolina | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Charleston-style | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Granite countertops, porch | Hardwood floors, open floor plans |
- The Colonial and Charleston-style architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference granite countertops and porches, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like hardwood floors and open floor plans.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. North Carolina is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. North Carolina is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- North Carolina has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- North Carolina housing costs are 12% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in North Carolina is 4.81% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and North Carolina
Comparison | South Carolina | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Winter Storms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 88Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 59Β°F / 37Β°F | 52Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8" | 50.3" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 5" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 1% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- North Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to South Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, winter storms, and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 2 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 0.5 more inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and North Carolina
Comparison | South Carolina | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 0-7% | 5.25% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 0.80% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.44% | 6.98% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Aerospace | Financial Services, Manufacturing, IT |
Affluence | Moderate | Comparatively High |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 5% more than in South Carolina
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 1% lower than what you are used to in South Carolina
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 0-7% in SC
- The affluence in North Carolina is comparatively high compared to moderate affluence in South Carolina
- The poverty level is lower in North Carolina compared to moderate poverty in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. North Carolina
Comparison | South Carolina | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Moderately conservative/liberal mix |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated | Mixed, with urban areas leaning Democrat |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Diverse: Protestant, but growing numbers of non-religious |
- South Carolina tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a moderately conservative/liberal mix
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Protestant and growing numbers of non-religious individuals
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to North Carolina
Comparison | South Carolina | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mitchell Road Elementary (Greenville) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Quest Academy (Raleigh) Endeavor Charter School (Wake Forest) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville) | Community House Middle School (Charlotte) Davis Drive Middle School (Cary) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Spring Hill High School (Chapin) | The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Ardrey Kell High School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) | Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Durham Academy (Durham) Cary Academy (Cary) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg) Ashley Hall (Charleston) | Ravenscroft (Raleigh) Providence Day School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) |
Top 3 School Districts | Charleston County School District Greenville County School District Lexington School District One | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Wake County Public School System Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools |
How Much Do South Carolina to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 241 miles from South Carolina to North Carolina will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,138 | 300 ft3 | $3.79 |
1 Bedroom | $1,688 | 450 ft3 | $3.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,782 | 750 ft3 | $3.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,033 | 1100 ft3 | $3.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,799 | 1600 ft3 | $3.62 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,447 | 1800 ft3 | $3.58 |
Top South Carolina to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to North Carolina