Moving to South Carolina? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

South Carolina is situated on the southeastern side of the United States, and is known for its warm weather, dazzling shorelines and sprawling marshlands. It is an area that’s rich in American history, being home to Fort Sumter, the starting point of the Civil War.

If you are considering moving to South Carolina, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick South Carolina Facts:

Population: 5.191 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $48,000 (2022)
Random Fact: South Carolina is known as the birthplace of barbecue. It’s the only state in the U.S. that currently holds an official statewide “Barbecue Trail”, with over 200 barbecue restaurants from the mountains to the coast.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to South Carolina

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$2400
Florida	$1800
New York	$2100
Texas	$2200
Illinois	$2000
Ohio	$1700
Georgia	$1500
North Carolina	$1600
Michigan	$1800
New Jersey	$2100

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to South Carolina. These costs are approximate and can vary based on several factors, including the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

You can also find the Best International Moving Companies in South Carolina here.

2. South Carolina Housing Costs

In South Carolina, housing costs can vary widely depending on the location. For instance, in upscale neighbourhoods like Mount Pleasant near Charleston, the median home price can exceed $400,000, while in smaller towns such as Spartanburg, the median home price may be below $150,000. On the other hand, average rents for a one-bedroom apartment range from around $700 in less expensive areas to over $1,300 in pricier urban centres such as downtown Charleston.

Monthly Rental Prices in South Carolina:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,400+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,110+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,000+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,400+

South Carolina Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $1,700+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $1,000+

South Carolina Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in South Carolina compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 51.5% more expensive
New York is 66.3% more expensive
Los Angeles is 52.8% more expensive
Toronto is 31.8% more expensive
Sydney is 43.2% more expensive
Paris is 18.4% more expensive
Dubai is 32.4% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: SpareRoom.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Housing prices in South Carolina show a broad spectrum across the state. For example, in affluent communities like Hilton Head Island, the median house price can reach above $500,000, while in more modest towns like Anderson, you can find median home prices closer to $140,000. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment varies too, with the average being around $900 in places like Sumter, and exceeding $1,400 in more upscale areas like downtown Greenville.

3. South Carolina Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

South Carolina is known for its classic Southern cuisine with a particular emphasis on seafood and barbecued dishes. The state is famous for its cuisine such as shrimp and grits, She-crab soup, and locally caught blue crab, as well as “Carolina-style” barbecue, particularly pulled pork with a tangy mustard-based sauce.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $15.00
Takeout Coffee: $5.00
Bottle of Coke: $2.20
1L of Milk: $1.00
Loaf of Bread: $3.40
12 Eggs: $5.50
1kg Chicken: $14.00
1kg Beef: $18.00
1kg Apples: $3.40
1kg White Rice: $3.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 31.9% more expensive and groceries are 12.2% cheaper than South Carolina.
New York restaurants are 34.9% more expensive and groceries are 33.8% more expensive than South Carolina.
Los Angeles restaurants are 32% more expensive and groceries are 16.4% more expensive than South Carolina.
Toronto restaurants are 12.5% more expensive and groceries are 3% more expensive than South Carolina.
Sydney restaurants are 16.4% more expensive and groceries are 13.5% more expensive than South Carolina.
Paris restaurants are 8.5% more expensive and groceries are 12.1% more expensive than South Carolina.
Dubai restaurants are 6.8% more expensive and groceries are 35.5% cheaper than South Carolina.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: South Carolina offers a variety of fresh produce markets and farmers’ markets, like the historic Charleston Farmers Market and the Hub City Farmers Market in Spartanburg, where you can find locally grown fruits and vegetables. As for supermarkets, there’s a broad range with more affordable options like Walmart and ALDI, and higher-end grocery stores such as Whole Foods and The Fresh Market.
Find Cheap Eats: South Carolina has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. South Carolina Alcohol Costs

South Carolina, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $4.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $5.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $15.00

How To Drink For Less in South Carolina:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Eater.

5. South Carolina Transportation Fares

Public transportation in South Carolina varies by location with cities like Charleston and Columbia offering bus services through the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) and the COMET respectively. However, much of the state is rural, and public transportation options are more limited in these areas, making owning a vehicle often necessary for efficient travel.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $1.50
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $50.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in South Carolina

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

South Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 16°C to 20°C. July is typically the hottest month with average high temperatures reaching about 33°C, while January is usually the coldest month with average lows of around 1-2°C, and the wettest month is typically August due to occasional hurricanes and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $59.00
Summer Dress: $56.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $80.00
Business Shoes: $110.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $2.50
Shampoo: $3.50
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.00
Gym Membership: $22.75
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.00

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in South Carolina

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in South Carolina. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to South Carolina from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in South Carolina:

Volkswagen Golf: $26,800+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.80

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in South Carolina:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try CarpoolWorld.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in South Carolina

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax in South Carolina is 6%, but municipalities can add their own local sales tax as well, which can bring the total sales tax up to as high as 9% in some areas.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in South Carolina at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in South Carolina you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from South Carolina

If you do make the move to South Carolina, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $530
New York: $40
Los Angeles: $110
Toronto: $150
Vancouver: $500
Dubai: $1,200
Sydney: $1,000
Melbourne: $1,170
Cape Town: $1,300
Hong Kong: $1,250

Other Tips on Moving to South Carolina:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in South Carolina but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to South Carolina Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in South Carolina.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: South Carolina always has something going on. Have a look at Discover South Carolina.

12. Moving to South Carolina with a Family

South Carolina is known for its family-friendly neighbourhoods, particularly in cities like Greenville and Mount Pleasant, which offer excellent schools and recreational activities. However, the crime rate varies widely by area; while some cities have crime rates below the national average, others, like Columbia and North Charleston, have rates above the national average.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Carolina Pregnancy Center.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Mount Pleasant, located in Charleston County, is often rated as one of the most family-friendly areas in South Carolina. This town is admired for its safe neighbourhoods, highly rated schools, and variety of family-oriented activities and amenities.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in South Carolina. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to South Carolina for Work

While it is possible to move to South Carolina without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. South Carolina has a diverse economy with key industries including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. As of 2023, the state’s unemployment rate is approximately 3.9%, which is a relatively healthy rate for the national economy.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to South Carolina, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to South Carolina from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in South Carolina, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: The state of Victoria is close in area to that of South Carolina.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in South Carolina that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to South Carolina from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in South Carolina. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: Newfoundland and Labrador are slightly larger than South Carolina, by around 10,000 square miles.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to South Carolina from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in South Carolina. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: South Carolina is around twice the size of the entire Midlands district in England.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in South Carolina, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to South Carolina you can start by comparing moving quotes here.