Wisconsin to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

Planning a 983 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs mild climate), food & health (like Cheese Curds vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (craftsman, cape cod vs colonial, charleston single house), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Wisconsin), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese Curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in South Carolina is 32.18% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to South Carolina will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to South Carolina movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to South Carolina
- Cold winters
- Limited beaches
- Higher taxes
- Rural remoteness
- Quiet nightlife
- Mild climate
- Beach accessibility
- Lower taxes
- Coastal living
- Vibrant nightlife
- Humidity
- Hurricane risk
- Starting fresh
- Less fall foliage
- Different cuisine
- Four seasons
- Winter sports
- Familiar community
- Beautiful fall colors
- Cheese and beer
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to a mild climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited beaches and moving to South Carolina with beach accessibility
- Swap the higher taxes of Wisconsin for lower taxes in South Carolina
- Get ready for coastal living in South Carolina
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in Wisconsin to live with humidity in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of winter sports and have to settle with the con of hurricane risk
- Time to bid farewell to a familiar community and get used to starting fresh in South Carolina
- Swap beautiful fall colors for less fall foliage
Wisconsin vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese Curds | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Fried Cheese Curds | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Okra Soup |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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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 Wisconsin to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Cheese Curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful Bratwurst and sumptuous Fried Cheese Curds, 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 Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Okra Soup of South Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like The Old Fashioned, Mader's, and Culver's. After the boxes are unpacked in South Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to South Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Home Team BBQ, Husk, and Bowen's Island Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina, compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and South Carolina
Comparison | Wisconsin | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Craftsman, Cape Cod | Colonial, Charleston Single House |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Large yards | Coastal views, Porches |
- The Craftsman and Cape Cod architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston Single House architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and large yards, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and porches.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. South Carolina is less walkable than Wisconsin.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. South Carolina is less bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- South Carolina has less of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- South Carolina housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in South Carolina is 32.18% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and South Carolina
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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 | Snowstorms, Cold snaps | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 57Β°F | 91Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 60Β°F / 38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 inches | 49 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 inches | 1 inch |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 14% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- South Carolina has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and cold snaps in Wisconsin, 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 9 degrees warmer than in Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 25 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 17 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and South Carolina
Comparison | Wisconsin | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 3.54 - 7.65 | 0 - 7 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.68 | 0.57 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.46 | 7.46 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Aerospace, Tourism, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Varying |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 10% less than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in SC is 0 - 7% compared to 3.54 - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in South Carolina is varying compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is high in South Carolina compared to moderate in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and moderate in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
Comparison | Wisconsin | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground State | Conservatively Leaning |
Local Politics | Varies widely, from liberal urban areas to conservative rural communities | Generally conservative, with strong Republican presence in local politics |
Religion | Lutheran and Catholic majorities | Evangelical Protestant majority, significant Baptist presence |
- Wisconsin tends to lean battleground state in its political climate.
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as conservatively leaning.
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as an evangelical Protestant majority with a significant Baptist presence.
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Lutheran and Catholic majorities.
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to South Carolina
Comparison | Wisconsin | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Lake Shore Middle (Mequon) Elm Creative Arts (Milwaukee) | Buist Academy (Charleston) Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Clemson Elementary (Clemson) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Whitefish Bay Middle (Whitefish Bay) Lake Shore Middle (Mequon) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Elm Grove) | Hand Middle School (Columbia) Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Langston Charter Middle School (Greenville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Whitefish Bay High (Whitefish Bay) Middleton High (Middleton) Brookfield Central High (Brookfield) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) St. John's Northwestern Academies (Delafield) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) Ashley Hall (Charleston) Hilton Head Christian Academy (Hilton Head) |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Whitefish Bay School District Mequon-Thiensville School District | Lexington School District One Fort Mill School District Greenville County School District |
How Much Do Wisconsin to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 983 miles from Wisconsin to South Carolina 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 | $1,760 | 300 ft3 | $5.87 |
1 Bedroom | $2,617 | 450 ft3 | $5.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,324 | 750 ft3 | $5.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,287 | 1100 ft3 | $5.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,065 | 1600 ft3 | $5.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,109 | 1800 ft3 | $5.62 |
Top Wisconsin to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for Wisconsin to South Carolina