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Washington to South Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 2,767 mile interstate move from Washington to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like rainy weather vs sunnier climate), food & health (like Salmon vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (modern, craftsman vs colonial, traditional), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Washington), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Prime Rib, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
  • South Carolina housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in South Carolina is 16.18% more affordable than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to South Carolina will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
  • Our top recommended Washington to South Carolina movers is Seattle Moves & More

Washington to South Carolina Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to South Carolina

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • Rainy weather
  • High cost of living
  • Traffic congestion
  • High taxes
ProsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Sunnier climate
  • Affordable housing
  • Less traffic
  • Lower taxes

South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Fewer mountains
  • Limited tech jobs
  • Less diversity
  • Limited public transit
Washington iconWashington
  • Scenic views
  • Tech job opportunities
  • Progressive culture
  • Public transport

Pros of moving from Washington to South Carolina

  • Say goodbye to rainy weather and hello to a sunnier climate
  • Look forward to moving away from a high cost of living and moving to South Carolina with affordable housing
  • Swap the traffic congestion of Washington for less traffic in South Carolina
  • Get ready for lower taxes in South Carolina

Cons of moving from Washington to South Carolina

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic views in Washington to live with fewer mountains in South Carolina
  • You'll lose out on the pro of tech job opportunities and have to settle for the con of limited tech jobs
  • Time to bid farewell to progressive culture and get used to less diversity in South Carolina
  • Swap public transport for limited public transit

Washington vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemSalmonShrimp and Grits
Most popular meat dishPrime RibPulled Pork BBQ
Most popular street food itemHot DogsBoiled Peanuts
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladCollard Greens
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Canlis
  • The Herbfarm
  • Mamnoon
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Washington to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Prime Rib and sumptuous Hot Dogs, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Boiled Peanuts to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad 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 Washington eateries like Canlis, The Herbfarm, and Mamnoon. 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, Hominy Grill, and FIG.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and South Carolina

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleModern, CraftsmanColonial, Traditional
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 listingEco-friendly features, Proximity to tech hubsHistoric properties, Coastal access
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Traditional architecture typical of South Carolina.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference eco-friendly features and proximity to tech hubs, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and coastal access.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; South Carolina is less walkable than Washington.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Washington.
  • South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Washington.
  • South Carolina housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in South Carolina is 16.18% more affordable than in Washington.

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

ComparisonWashingtonSouth 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 DisastersVolcanoes, EarthquakesHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F / 55Β°F91Β°F / 71Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F / 37Β°F60Β°F / 38Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3849
Annual Snowfall (Inches)4.61
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 43% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in South Carolina.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in South Carolina is 16 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows in South Carolina are 1 degree warmer than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 11 more inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and South Carolina

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Carolina
Avg. Household Income$91,306$64,115
Cost of Living Index104.196.85
State Income Tax0%0%-7%
Avg. Property Tax1.03%0.57%
Avg. Sales Tax9.29%7.44%
Top 3 IndustriesTechnology, Aerospace, AgricultureAerospace, Automotive, Tourism
AffluenceProsperousModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessConcerningMinimal
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 30% less than those in Washington
  • The COLI in South Carolina will be 7% lower than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer... By moving from WA to SC, you'll now have a state income tax of 0% to 7%
  • The affluence in South Carolina is moderate compared to prosperous in Washington
  • The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to low in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in Washington and minimal in South Carolina

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. South Carolina

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Carolina
Political Make-upLargely DemocraticPrimarily Republican
Local PoliticsProgressive urban centersConservative local governance
ReligionLess religiously affiliatedHighly religious, predominantly Christian
  • Washington tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
  • South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
  • South Carolina's religious environment can be described as highly religious and predominantly Christian
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religiously affiliated

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to South Carolina

ComparisonWashingtonSouth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
University of South Carolina
Clemson University
College of Charleston
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade K-8 (Shoreline)
Challenge Elementary (Everett)
Discovery Primary School (Gig Harbor)
Buist Academy (Charleston)
Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Monarch Elementary (Greenville)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School (Bellevue)
Explorer Middle School (Everett)
Odyssey: The Essential School (Bainbridge Island)
Daniel Island School (Daniel Island)
GOLD Academy (Greenville)
Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
Top 3 High SchoolsNewport High School (Bellevue)
International School (Bellevue)
Bellevue High School (Bellevue)
Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston)
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville)
Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston)
Top 3 private high schoolsLakeside School (Seattle)
The Overlake School (Redmond)
Seattle Preparatory School (Seattle)
Porter-Gaud (Charleston)
Hammond School (Columbia)
Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Bush School (Seattle)
Seattle Academy (Seattle)
The Bear Creek School (Redmond)
Charleston Collegiate School (Johns Island)
Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head)
Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg)
Top 3 School DistrictsLake Washington School District
Bellevue School District
Mercer Island School District
Lexington School District One
Greenville County School District
Spartanburg District 7

How Much Do Washington to South Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 2,767 miles from Washington to South Carolina will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,771300 ft3$9.24
1 Bedroom$4,134450 ft3$9.19
2 Bedrooms$6,853750 ft3$9.14
3 Bedrooms$9,9961100 ft3$9.09
4 Bedrooms$14,4601600 ft3$9.04
5+ Bedrooms$16,1771800 ft3$8.99

Top Washington to South Carolina Movers

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

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Washington to South Carolina

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
John Volken Academy Movers featured image

John Volken Academy Movers

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
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