South Carolina to West Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 420 mile interstate move from South Carolina to West Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs West Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hurricane risks vs milder climate), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Pepperoni Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, charleston style vs appalachian, log homes), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Pulled Pork BBQ, but get your taste buds ready for Pepperoni Roll & Venison
- West Virginia housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in West Virginia is 39.55% more affordable than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to West Virginia will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to West Virginia movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
South Carolina to West Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to West Virginia
- Hurricane risks
- High humidity
- Dense traffic
- Coastal flooding
- Milder climate
- Four distinct seasons
- Quieter roads
- Mountainous landscapes
- Limited coastlines
- Colder winters
- Rural areas
- Fewer job opportunities
- Beach access
- Warm winters
- Historic cities
- Strong economy
Pros of moving from South Carolina to West Virginia
- Say goodbye to hurricane risks and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from high humidity and moving to West Virginia with four distinct seasons
- Swap the dense traffic of South Carolina for quieter roads in West Virginia
- Get ready for mountainous landscapes in West Virginia
Cons of moving from South Carolina to West Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beach access in South Carolina to live with limited coastlines in West Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of warm winters and have to settle for the con of colder winters
- Time to bid farewell to historic cities and get used to rural areas in West Virginia
- Swap a strong economy for fewer job opportunities
South Carolina vs. West Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Pepperoni Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork BBQ | Venison |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Hot Dogs with Sauce |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Morel Mushrooms |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 West Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Pulled Pork BBQ and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, West Virginia residents know they have tasty Venison and Hot Dogs with Sauce 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 Morel Mushrooms of West Virginia. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, Hominy Grill, and Poi Dog. After the boxes are unpacked in West Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to West Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Pepperoni Roll Factory, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Black Bear Burritos.
When comparing lifestyles, West Virginia shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in West Virginia compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in West Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and West Virginia
Comparison | South Carolina | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Charleston style | Appalachian, Log homes |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Beach proximity, golf courses | Mountain views, privacy |
- The Colonial and Charleston style architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Appalachian and Log homes architecture typical of West Virginia.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference beach proximity and golf courses, West Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; West Virginia is less walkable than South Carolina.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; West Virginia is less bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- West Virginia has less of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- West Virginia housing costs are 45% less expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $161,063 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in West Virginia have increased by 37% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in West Virginia is 39.55% more affordable than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and West Virginia
Comparison | South Carolina | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
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 | Floods, snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 91Β°F / 71Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 38Β°F | 41Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.8 | 45.2 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1-4 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to West Virginia. West Virginia gets 24% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- West Virginia 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 floods and snowstorms in West Virginia.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in West Virginia is 6 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in West Virginia. West Virginia receives 4.6 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. West Virginia
Comparison | South Carolina | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, tends Republican | Conservative, leans Republican |
Local Politics | Varies by region; urban areas more liberal | Mostly conservative, with industrial areas slightly more liberal |
Religion | Strong evangelical Christian presence | Primarily Protestant with a significant evangelical influence |
- South Carolina tends to lean conservative and tends Republican in its political climate
- West Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as conservative and leans Republican
- West Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a significant evangelical influence
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a strong evangelical Christian presence
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to West Virginia
Comparison | South Carolina | West Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Mitchell Road Elementary (Greenville) | Stepping Stones Montessori (Charleston) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) North Elementary School (Morgantown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Sterling School (Greenville) Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) | Winfield Middle School (Winfield) Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport) Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) Dutch Fork High School (Irmo) | George Washington High School (Charleston) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) Wheeling Park High School (Wheeling) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Christian Academy (Hilton Head Island) | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Trinity Christian School (Morgantown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Charleston County School District Greenville County School District Lexington School District One | Monongalia County Schools Kanawha County Schools Ohio County Schools |
How Much Do South Carolina to West Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 420 miles from South Carolina to West Virginia will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,441 | 300 ft3 | $4.80 |
1 Bedroom | $2,138 | 450 ft3 | $4.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,526 | 750 ft3 | $4.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,117 | 1100 ft3 | $4.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,363 | 1600 ft3 | $4.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,194 | 1800 ft3 | $4.55 |
Top South Carolina to West Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to West Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to West Virginia