South Carolina to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 981 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity vs fresher air), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs prairie, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 0% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Wisconsin is 24.35% more affordable than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers
South Carolina to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Wisconsin
- Humidity
- Hurricane Risk
- Extreme Heat
- High Pollen Levels
- Fresher Air
- Safe from Hurricanes
- Cooler Summers
- Less Allergy Triggers
- Harsh Winters
- Higher Living Costs
- Landlocked State
- Different Food Scene
- Mild Winters
- Low Cost of Living
- Coastal Access
- Southern Cuisine
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to humidity and hello to fresher air
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Wisconsin with safety from hurricanes
- Swap the extreme heat of South Carolina for cooler summers in Wisconsin
- Get ready for fewer allergy triggers in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from mild winters in South Carolina to live with harsh winters in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher living costs
- Time to bid farewell to coastal access and get used to a landlocked state in Wisconsin
- Swap southern cuisine for a different food scene
South Carolina vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Beer-battered Cauliflower |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds 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 Beer-battered Cauliflower of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Xiao Bao Biscuit, and FIG. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like The Old Fashioned, Culver's, and Lazy Susan MKE.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Wisconsin
Comparison | South Carolina | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Prairie, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor spaces, proximity to beaches | Lakefront, energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Cape Cod architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference outdoor spaces and proximity to beaches, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lakefront and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Wisconsin is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Wisconsin has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 0% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 24.35% more affordable than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Wisconsin
Comparison | South Carolina | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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, Tornadoes | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90/70 | 82/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60/40 | 28/13 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 32 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1 | 48 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 13% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to South Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is 8 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows in Wisconsin are 27 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin. Wisconsin receives 18 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Wisconsin
Comparison | South Carolina | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 7% | 7.65% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 5% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Tourism | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Health Care |
Affluence | Moderate | Above average |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 11% more than in South Carolina
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 1% lower than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in WI is 7.65% compared to 7% in SC
- The affluence in Wisconsin is above average compared to moderate in South Carolina
- The poverty level is moderate in Wisconsin compared to noticeable in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in South Carolina and lower in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | South Carolina | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally Conservative | Mixed; battleground state |
Local Politics | Republican dominance in local offices | Democratic strongholds in urban areas, Republican in rural |
Religion | Evangelical Protestants prevalent | Mixed; large Catholic & Lutheran populations |
- South Carolina tends to lean traditionally Conservative in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a mixed battleground state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as having mixed large Catholic and Lutheran populations
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly evangelical Protestants
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Wisconsin
Comparison | South Carolina | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina - Columbia Clemson University College of Charleston | University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Marquette University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mount Pleasant Academy - Mount Pleasant Buist Academy - Charleston Clemson Elementary - Clemson | Randall Elementary School - Madison Swallow School - Hartland Marcy Elementary School - Menomonee Falls |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Montessori School of Anderson - Anderson Spartanburg Preparatory School - Spartanburg East Link Academy - Greenville | Kromrey Middle School - Middleton Glacier Creek Middle School - Cross Plains Lake Shore Middle School - Mequon |
Top 3 High Schools | Academic Magnet High School - North Charleston Charleston School of the Arts - North Charleston D. W. Daniel High School - Central | Whitefish Bay High School - Whitefish Bay Middleton High School - Middleton Eau Claire Memorial High School - Eau Claire |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School - Charleston Hammond School - Columbia Christ Church Episcopal School - Greenville | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Marquette University High School - Milwaukee Brookfield Academy - Brookfield |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Hammond School - Columbia Ashley Hall - Charleston Hilton Head Preparatory School - Hilton Head Island | University School of Milwaukee - Milwaukee Brookfield Academy - Brookfield St. John's Northwestern Academies - Delafield |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Mill School District - Fort Mill Lexington School District One - Lexington Charleston County School District - Charleston | Elmbrook School District - Brookfield Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District - Middleton Waunakee Community School District - Waunakee |
How Much Do South Carolina to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 981 miles from South Carolina to Wisconsin will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,759 | 300 ft3 | $5.86 |
1 Bedroom | $2,615 | 450 ft3 | $5.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,322 | 750 ft3 | $5.76 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,283 | 1100 ft3 | $5.71 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,059 | 1600 ft3 | $5.66 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,102 | 1800 ft3 | $5.61 |
Top South Carolina to Wisconsin Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Wisconsin movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Wisconsin