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South Carolina to Virginia Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 340 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Ham), real estate & housing (colonial revival, charleston style vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Lowcountry boil, but get your taste buds ready for Ham & BBQ Brisket
  • Virginia housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
  • Rent in Virginia is 10.75% more expensive than in South Carolina
  • Moving from South Carolina to Virginia will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended South Carolina to Virginia movers is ARS Movers

South Carolina to Virginia Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Virginia

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Hot summers
  • Hurricane risks
  • Limited public transit
  • Higher humidity
ProsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Cooler climate
  • Less severe storms
  • Better transportation
  • More comfortable weather

Virginia iconVirginia
  • Busier lifestyle
  • Farther from coast
  • Higher expenses
  • Competitive job market
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Friendly locals
  • Beach proximity
  • Cost of living
  • Rich history

Pros of moving from South Carolina to Virginia

  • Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a cooler climate
  • Look forward to moving away from hurricane risks and moving to Virginia with less severe storms
  • Swap the limited public transit of South Carolina for better transportation in Virginia
  • Get ready for more comfortable weather in Virginia

Cons of moving from South Carolina to Virginia

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from friendly locals in South Carolina to live with a busier lifestyle in Virginia
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beach proximity and have to settle for the con of being farther from the coast
  • Time to bid farewell to the cost of living and get used to higher expenses in Virginia
  • Swap rich history for a competitive job market

South Carolina vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonSouth CarolinaVirginia
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsHam
Most popular meat dishLowcountry boilBBQ Brisket
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsOysters
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensRoasted Vegetables
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • Hominy Grill
  • Bowens Island Restaurant
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Lemaire Restaurant
  • Zynodoa
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Lowcountry Boil and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Brisket and Oysters 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 Roasted Vegetables of Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Bowens Island Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Lemaire Restaurant, and Zynodoa.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Virginia

ComparisonSouth CarolinaVirginia
Typical Architecture StyleColonial Revival, Charleston StyleColonial, Cape Cod
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 listingWaterfront, Golf CoursesHistoric Homes, Proximity to D.C.
  • The Colonial Revival and Charleston Style architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Virginia.
  • Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and golf courses, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like historic homes and proximity to D.C.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Virginia is more walkable than South Carolina.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Virginia is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
  • Virginia has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
  • Virginia housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $385,780 compared to South Carolina’s $293,893.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased 42% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
  • Rent in Virginia is 10.75% more expensive than in South Carolina.

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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaVirginia
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, FloodsHurricanes, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 70Β°F85Β°F / 65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)60Β°F / 40Β°F48Β°F / 29Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)49.5744.02
Annual Snowfall (Inches)110-20
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Virginia. Virginia gets 5% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
  • Virginia 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 hurricanes and winter storms in Virginia.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 5 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia. Virginia receives 5.5 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.

Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Virginia

ComparisonSouth CarolinaVirginia
Avg. Household Income$64,115$85,873
Cost of Living Index96.8596.6
State Income Tax0-72-5.75
Avg. Property Tax0.570.82
Avg. Sales Tax6.945.65
Top 3 IndustriesTextiles, Automotive, TourismTechnology, Defense, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyNotableLess Significant
HomelessnessIncreasingStable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 34% more than in South Carolina
  • The COLI in Virginia will be 0% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
  • The state income tax in VA is 2-5.75 compared to 0-7 in SC
  • The affluence in Virginia is high compared to moderate in South Carolina
  • The poverty level is less significant in Virginia compared to notable in South Carolina
  • In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in South Carolina and stable in Virginia

Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Virginia

ComparisonSouth CarolinaVirginia
Political Make-upTraditionally ConservativeModerately Swing-state
Local PoliticsLocal governments lean RepublicanVaries; Northern VA leans Democrat, rural areas lean Republican
ReligionEvangelical ProtestantDiverse; prominent presence of Evangelical Protestant, Catholic
  • South Carolina tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
  • Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a moderately Swing state
  • Virginia's religious environment can be described as diverse with a prominent presence of Evangelical Protestant and Catholic
  • South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Evangelical Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Virginia

ComparisonSouth CarolinaVirginia
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsBuist Academy (Charleston)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Forestbrook Elementary School (Myrtle Beach)
Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Nuckols Farm Elementary School (Henrico)
Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMoultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Hand Middle School (Columbia)
Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Henley Middle School (Crozet)
Frost Middle School (Fairfax)
Top 3 High SchoolsAcademic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Wando High School (Mount Pleasant)
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Top 3 private high schoolsPorter-Gaud School (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island)
The Potomac School (McLean)
The Madeira School (McLean)
St. Anne's-Belfield School (Charlottesville)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsHilton Head Prep (Hilton Head Island)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Ashley Hall (Charleston)
The Potomac School (McLean)
Flint Hill School (Oakton)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
Top 3 School DistrictsCharleston County School District
Greenville County School District
Lexington School District One
Fairfax County Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Arlington Public Schools

How Much Do South Carolina to Virginia Movers Cost?

Moving 340 miles from South Carolina to Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,186300 ft3$3.95
1 Bedroom$1,760450 ft3$3.91
2 Bedrooms$2,901750 ft3$3.87
3 Bedrooms$4,2081100 ft3$3.83
4 Bedrooms$6,0531600 ft3$3.78
5+ Bedrooms$6,7331800 ft3$3.74

Top South Carolina to Virginia Movers

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

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Virginia

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
Top South Carolina to Virginia Routes

Charleston to Virginia