Virginia to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 340 mile interstate move from Virginia to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high tax rates vs lower tax burden), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs colonial, coastal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Virginia), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Virginia Ham and BBQ Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Lowcountry Boil
- South Carolina housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Virginia
- Rent in South Carolina is 9.71% more affordable than in Virginia
- Moving from Virginia to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Virginia to South Carolina movers is ARS Movers
Virginia to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to South Carolina
- High tax rates
- Expensive housing
- Heavy traffic congestion
- High service costs
- Cold winters
- Lower tax burden
- Affordable living costs
- Less crowded highways
- Cheaper utilities
- Milder winters
- Fewer historic sites
- Narrower job options
- Varying school quality
- Limited outdoor options
- Limited medical facilities
- Rich history
- Diverse job market
- Quality education
- Lush landscapes
- Top-notch healthcare
Pros of moving from Virginia to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to high tax rates and hello to a lower tax burden
- Look forward to moving away from expensive housing and moving to South Carolina with affordable living costs
- Swap the heavy traffic congestion of Virginia for less crowded highways in South Carolina
- Get ready for cheaper utilities in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Virginia to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from rich history in Virginia to live with fewer historic sites in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of narrower job options
- Time to bid farewell to quality education and get used to varying school quality in South Carolina
- Swap lush landscapes for limited outdoor options
Virginia vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Virginia Ham | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | BBQ Pulled Pork | Lowcountry Boil |
Most popular street food item | Oysters | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Collard Greens |
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 Virginia to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful BBQ Pulled Pork and sumptuous Oysters, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Lowcountry Boil and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Collard Greens of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Lemaire, and Zynodoa. After the boxes are unpacked in South Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to South Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Husk, Xiao Bao Biscuit, and FIG.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and South Carolina
Comparison | Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Colonial, Coastal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite countertops | Beach access, Porches |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Coastal architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than Virginia.
- South Carolina is similarly bike-friendly to Virginia.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Virginia.
- South Carolina housing costs are 24% less expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Virginiaβs $385,780.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
- Rent in South Carolina is 9.71% more affordable than in Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and South Carolina
Comparison | Virginia | South 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, Flooding | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 86/66 | 90/71 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 48/29 | 60/38 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 49 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 14 | 1 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Virginia to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 6% more sunshine days than Virginia.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and flooding in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in South Carolina.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 4 degrees warmer than in Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 9 degrees warmer than they are in Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and South Carolina
Comparison | Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $85,873 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.6 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 2% to 5.75% | 0% to 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.80% | 0.57% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.65% | 7.44% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Government, Agriculture | Tourism, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Lower | Higher |
Homelessness | Occasional | Sporadic |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 25% less than those in Virginia
- The COLI in South Carolina is 0% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
- The state income tax in SC is 0% to 7% compared to 2% to 5.75% in VA
- The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to moderate affluence in Virginia
- The poverty level is higher in South Carolina compared to lower levels in Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is occasional in Virginia and sporadic in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers with conservative rural areas | Predominantly conservative, with progressive pockets in urban areas |
Religion | Christian majority with diverse religious communities | Strong Christian evangelical presence |
- Virginia tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as having a strong Christian evangelical presence
- Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to South Carolina
Comparison | Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Virginia Virginia Tech College of William & Mary | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) Spring Hill Elementary (McLean) Westbriar Elementary (Vienna) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Clemson Elementary (Clemson) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Cooper Middle School (McLean) Frost Middle School (Fairfax) | Rollings Middle School of the Arts (Summerville) Pleasant Hill Middle School (Lexington) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) McLean High School (McLean) Langley High School (McLean) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) Wando High School (Mount Pleasant) |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School (Richmond) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) The Potomac School (McLean) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Wilson Hall (Sumter) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Nysmith School (Herndon) The Madeira School (McLean) Collegiate School (Richmond) | Charleston Collegiate School (Johns Island) Ashley Hall (Charleston) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fairfax County Public Schools Loudoun County Public Schools Arlington Public Schools | Charleston County School District Greenville County School District Lexington Richland School District 5 |
How Much Do Virginia to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 340 miles from Virginia to South Carolina 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,186 | 300 ft3 | $3.95 |
1 Bedroom | $1,760 | 450 ft3 | $3.91 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,901 | 750 ft3 | $3.87 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,208 | 1100 ft3 | $3.83 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,053 | 1600 ft3 | $3.78 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,733 | 1800 ft3 | $3.74 |
Top Virginia to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.