Movers

Virginia to South Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

Hero background image

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

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • High tax rates
  • Expensive housing
  • Heavy traffic congestion
  • High service costs
  • Cold winters
ProsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Lower tax burden
  • Affordable living costs
  • Less crowded highways
  • Cheaper utilities
  • Milder winters

South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Fewer historic sites
  • Narrower job options
  • Varying school quality
  • Limited outdoor options
  • Limited medical facilities
Virginia iconVirginia
  • 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

ComparisonVirginiaSouth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemVirginia HamShrimp and Grits
Most popular meat dishBBQ Pulled PorkLowcountry Boil
Most popular street food itemOystersFried Green Tomatoes
Most popular vegan foodAvocado ToastCollard Greens
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • Lemaire
  • Zynodoa
  • Husk
  • Xiao Bao Biscuit
  • FIG
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 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

ComparisonVirginiaSouth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanColonial, Coastal
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 listingHardwood floors, Granite countertopsBeach 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 Virginia’s $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

ComparisonVirginiaSouth Carolina
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, FloodingHurricanes, Flooding
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)86/6690/71
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48/2960/38
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4249
Annual Snowfall (Inches)141
  • 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

ComparisonVirginiaSouth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$85,873$64,115
Cost of Living Index96.696.85
State Income Tax2% to 5.75%0% to 7%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax5.65%7.44%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Government, AgricultureTourism, Manufacturing, Agriculture
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowerHigher
HomelessnessOccasionalSporadic
  • 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

ComparisonVirginiaSouth Carolina
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticLeans Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive urban centers with conservative rural areasPredominantly conservative, with progressive pockets in urban areas
ReligionChristian majority with diverse religious communitiesStrong 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

ComparisonVirginiaSouth 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 SchoolsArlington 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 SchoolsLongfellow 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 SchoolsThomas 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 schoolsThomas 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsFairfax 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/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 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.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to South Carolina

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

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
Top Virginia to South Carolina Routes

Virginia Beach to South Carolina

Chesapeake to South Carolina

    Norfolk to South Carolina

      Richmond to South Carolina

        Newport News to South Carolina

          Alexandria to South Carolina