West Virginia to South Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 421 mile interstate move from West Virginia to South Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs South Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job opportunities vs thriving job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Shrimp and Grits), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, charleston single house), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in South Carolina), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pepperoni Roll and Venison, but get your taste buds ready for Shrimp and Grits & Pulled Pork BBQ
- South Carolina housing costs are 82% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
- Rent in South Carolina is 65.42% more expensive than in West Virginia
- Moving from West Virginia to South Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended West Virginia to South Carolina movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
West Virginia to South Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to South Carolina
- Limited job opportunities
- Rugged terrain travel
- Harsh winters
- Limited cultural events
- Thriving job market
- Flatter landscapes
- Milder winters
- Vibrant festivals
- Higher population density
- Higher housing costs
- Traffic congestion
- Sultry summer heat
- Natural beauty
- Low cost of living
- Tight-knit communities
- Rich history
Pros of moving from West Virginia to South Carolina
- Say goodbye to limited job opportunities and hello to a thriving job market
- Look forward to moving away from rugged terrain travel and moving to South Carolina with flatter landscapes
- Swap the harsh winters of West Virginia for milder winters in South Carolina
- Get ready for vibrant festivals in South Carolina
Cons of moving from West Virginia to South Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in West Virginia to live with higher population density in South Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a low cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher housing costs
- Time to bid farewell to tight-knit communities and get used to traffic congestion in South Carolina
- Swap rich history for sultry summer heat
West Virginia vs. South Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | West Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Shrimp and Grits |
Most popular meat dish | Venison | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Most popular vegan food | Morel Mushrooms | 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 West Virginia to South Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Venison and sumptuous Hot Dogs, South Carolina residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork BBQ and Fried Green Tomatoes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Morel Mushrooms 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 West Virginia eateries like Tudor's Biscuit World, Dem 2 Brothers and A Grill, and Sternwheelers. 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 Poogan's Porch.
When comparing lifestyles, South Carolina shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than West Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in South Carolina compared to what you are used to in West Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in South Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and South Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Charleston single house |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Coal heritage | Beach proximity, Historical significance |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Charleston single house architecture typical of South Carolina.
- Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings, which commonly reference mountain views and coal heritage, South Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like beach proximity and historical significance.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; South Carolina is more walkable than West Virginia.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; South Carolina is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
- South Carolina has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
- South Carolina housing costs are 82% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $293,893 compared to West Virginiaβs $161,063.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in South Carolina have increased by 58% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
- Rent in South Carolina is 65.42% more expensive than in West Virginia.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between West Virginia and South Carolina
Comparison | West 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 | Floods, Snowstorms | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F/60Β°F | 92Β°F/72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F/20Β°F | 60Β°F/38Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 1-2" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to South Carolina. South Carolina gets 32% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
- South Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to West Virginia.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and snowstorms in West 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 12 degrees warmer than in West Virginia.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in West Virginia.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in South Carolina. South Carolina receives 5 more inches of rain compared to West Virginia.
Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and South Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $64,115 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 96.85 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.5% | 0% - 7% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.58% | 0.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6% - 9% |
Top 3 Industries | Energy, Manufacturing, Tourism | Aerospace, Automotive, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Growing |
Poverty | High | Moderate |
Homelessness | Stable | Increasing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in South Carolina tend to earn about 18% more than those in West Virginia
- The COLI in South Carolina will be 2% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
- The state income tax in SC is 0% to 7% compared to 3% to 6.5% in WV
- The affluence in South Carolina is growing compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
- The poverty level is moderate in South Carolina compared to high poverty in West Virginia
- In terms of homelessness, it is stable in West Virginia and increasing in South Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. South Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Moderately Conservative |
Local Politics | Strong focus on energy and manufacturing sectors | Emphasis on tourism, manufacturing, and agricultural industries |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a majority identifying as Protestant | Primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant majority |
- West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- South Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Conservative
- South Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Protestant majority
- West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with a majority identifying as Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to South Carolina
Comparison | West Virginia | South Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | West Virginia University Marshall University West Virginia State University | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Weimer Elementary School (Morgantown) Jenkins Elementary School (Harpers Ferry) Suncrest Primary School (Morgantown) | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) River Ridge Academy (Bluffton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winfield Middle School (Winfield) Suncrest Middle School (Morgantown) Bridgeport Middle School (Bridgeport) | Thomas C. Cario Middle School (Mount Pleasant) Gold Hill Middle School (Tega Cay) Ocean Bay Middle School (Myrtle Beach) |
Top 3 High Schools | George Washington High School (Charleston) Morgantown High School (Morgantown) Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport) | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) Charleston County School of the Arts (North Charleston) D. W. Daniel High School (Central) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Linsly School (Wheeling) Wheeling Country Day School (Wheeling) Greenbrier Episcopal School (Lewisburg) | Porter-Gaud School (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Charleston Catholic High School (Charleston) Parkersburg Catholic High School (Parkersburg) Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg) | Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (Columbia) Hilton Head Preparatory School (Hilton Head Island) Pinewood Preparatory School (Summerville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Monongalia County Schools Jefferson County Schools Harrison County Schools | Lexington 1 School District Greenville County School District Fort Mill School District |
How Much Do West Virginia to South Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 421 miles from West Virginia to South Carolina 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 | $2,139 | 450 ft3 | $4.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,528 | 750 ft3 | $4.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,119 | 1100 ft3 | $4.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,366 | 1600 ft3 | $4.60 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,197 | 1800 ft3 | $4.55 |
Top West Virginia to South Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best West Virginia to South Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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