South Carolina to Oregon Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 2,641 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Oregon? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Oregon across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot and humid summers vs mild and cooler climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Dungeness Crab), real estate & housing (colonial and victorian vs northwest and craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Oregon), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Dungeness Crab & Grilled Salmon
- Oregon housing costs are 69% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Oregon is 6.83% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Oregon will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Oregon movers is Pacific Northwest Moving
South Carolina to Oregon Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Oregon
- Hot and humid summers
- Higher hurricane risk
- Limited public transport
- Conservative culture
- Sandy beaches
- Mild and cooler climate
- Lower natural disaster risk
- Extensive public transport
- Progressive culture
- Majestic coastlines
- Higher living expenses
- Lacks warm hospitality
- Relatively modern history
- Less soul food options
- Urban lifestyle dominance
- Low cost of living
- Southern hospitality
- Rich history
- Delicious southern cuisine
- Quaint small towns
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Oregon
- Say goodbye to hot and humid summers and hello to a mild and cooler climate
- Look forward to moving away from a higher hurricane risk and moving to Oregon with a lower natural disaster risk
- Swap the limited public transport of South Carolina for extensive public transport in Oregon
- Get ready for a progressive culture in Oregon
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Oregon
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in South Carolina to live with higher living expenses in Oregon
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern hospitality and have to settle with the con of a lack of warm hospitality
- Time to bid farewell to a rich history and get used to a relatively modern history in Oregon
- Swap delicious southern cuisine for fewer soul food options
South Carolina vs. Oregon: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Dungeness Crab |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Grilled Salmon |
Most popular street food item | Fried Green Tomatoes | Voodoo Doughnut |
Most popular vegan food | Okra Soup | Hazelnut Tofu Stir-fry |
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 Oregon, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Dungeness Crab of Oregon. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Fried Green Tomatoes, Oregon residents know they have tasty Grilled Salmon and Voodoo Doughnut to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Okra Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Hazelnut Tofu Stir-fry of Oregon. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk Charleston, Hominy Grill, and FIG. After the boxes are unpacked in Oregon, don't wait too long before making your way to Oregon's acclaimed eateries like Pok Pok, Le Pigeon, and Screen Door.
When comparing lifestyles, Oregon shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Oregon, compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Oregon.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Oregon
Comparison | South Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial and Victorian | Northwest and Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, proximity to beaches | Eco-friendly features, mountain views |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Northwest and Craftsman architecture typical of Oregon.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and proximity to beaches, Oregon real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly elements and mountain views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Oregon is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Oregon is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Oregon has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Oregon housing costs are 69% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $497,946 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Oregon have increased by 39% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Oregon is 6.83% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Oregon
Comparison | South Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
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, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 81Β°F / 58Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 59Β°F / 38Β°F | 47Β°F / 33Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 inches | 71 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 inch | 33 inches |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Oregon. Oregon gets 39% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Oregon 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 wildfires and earthquakes in Oregon.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Oregon is 9 degrees colder than South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Oregon. Oregon receives 21 more inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Oregon
Comparison | South Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $75,657 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 110.55 |
State Income Tax | 0% to 7% | 4.75% to 9.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.07% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism | Technology, Forestry, Tourism |
Affluence | Modest | Above Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Oregon tend to earn about 18% more than those in South Carolina
- The COLI in Oregon will be 14% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in OR is 4.75% to 9.9% compared to 0% to 7% in SC
- The affluence in Oregon is above average compared to modest affluence in South Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Oregon compared to moderate poverty in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and high in Oregon
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Oregon
Comparison | South Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Strongly influences by local businesses and traditions | Driven by environmental and progressive ideals |
Religion | Christianity is predominant | Less religiously affiliated; diverse beliefs |
- South Carolina tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Oregon, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Oregon's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated and diverse beliefs
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Oregon
Comparison | South Carolina | Oregon |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina (Columbia) Clemson University (Clemson) College of Charleston (Charleston) | University of Oregon (Eugene) Oregon State University (Corvallis) Portland State University (Portland) |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) East End Elementary (Easley) | Ainsworth Elementary School (Portland) Findley Elementary School (Beaverton) Arthur Academy (Portland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Moultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Hand Middle School (Columbia) Rollings Middle School of the Arts (Summerville) | Stoller Middle School (Portland) Lake Oswego Junior High School (Lake Oswego) Cedar Park Middle School (Beaverton) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) | International School of Beaverton (Beaverton) School of Science & Technology (Beaverton) Lake Oswego High School (Lake Oswego) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) | Catlin Gabel School (Portland) Oregon Episcopal School (Portland) St. Mary's Academy (Portland) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Charleston Collegiate School (Johns Island) Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg) Robert E. Lee Academy (Bishopville) | Delphian School (Sheridan) The Northwest Academy (Portland) Marist Catholic High School (Eugene) |
Top 3 School Districts | Charleston County School District Greenville County School District Lexington School District One | Portland Public Schools Beaverton School District Lake Oswego School District |
How Much Do South Carolina to Oregon Movers Cost?
Moving 2,641 miles from South Carolina to Oregon will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,700 | 300 ft3 | $9.00 |
1 Bedroom | $4,027 | 450 ft3 | $8.95 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,674 | 750 ft3 | $8.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,734 | 1100 ft3 | $8.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,079 | 1600 ft3 | $8.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,748 | 1800 ft3 | $8.75 |
Top South Carolina to Oregon Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Oregon movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pacific Northwest Moving
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Oregon