$1,612 Movers from California to South Carolina

The cost to move from California to South Carolina averages from $1,895 to $9,563 depending on how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself. Hiring movers will be on the more expensive side. Renting a truck or renting a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

In this article, we’ll lay out everything you need to know for your upcoming move to South Carolina. But first, here are a few resources if you need immediate answers:

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Moving from South Carolina to California guide.

Moving 2,502 miles is no joke. Here's what you need to know.

How much does it cost to move from California to South Carolina?

The table below lays out average cost ranges for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move Size Moving Company Moving Container Rental Truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,612 - $6,658 $1,645 - $4,091 $1,750 - $3,387
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,634 - $9,563 $2,922 - $6,076 $1,895 - $4,033
4+ bedrooms $8,710 - $14,800 $4,023 - $8,259 $2,394 - $4,947
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*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,502 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect the final cost of your move.

The cost to move from California to South Carolina will depend on:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season is in the summer, this makes prices higher.
  • Do-it-yourself vs Professional Mover: You may save money with a DIY move, but you also will have to do all the work.
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Get a more accurate estimate of your California to South Carolina moving costs with our personalized calculator below. Simply enter your details and get instant pricing!

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Who Are The Best California to South Carolina Movers?

Hiring a moving company is a big deal. We’ve researched over 500 interstate moving companies, cross-referencing verified customer reviews, license data, insurance data, and federal complaint records to find you the best California to South Carolina moving companies.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Best overall value
  • Portion to charity
  • Veteran owned
Get A Quote
(855) 650-0657

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 15% discounts
Get A Quote
(855) 929-4120

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 20 yrs experience
  • Flat rate pricing
  • Family owned
Get A Quote
(866) 835-2392

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 74 years in biz
  • 1,800 trucks
  • Storage available
Get A Quote
(844) 950-2963

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • White glove
  • Expensive items
  • Guaranteed delivery
Get A Quote
(703) 972-1772

% of users select this mover

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to South Carolina?

To ship furniture from California to South Carolina with a mover will cost between $1,612 to $6,658. The cost to move a 2 to 3 bedroom home from CA to SC will range from $4,634 to $9,563, and a large move from California to South Carolina will cost from $8,710 to $14,800.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to South Carolina?

Moving pods from California to South Carolina will cost you $1,645 to $4,091 for a small move. For a 2 to 3 bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,922 to $6,076. A 4-bedroom move or bigger will cost $4,023 to $8,259.

How much is a moving truck from California to South Carolina?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor; these estimates include the estimated fuel cost:

Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,750 to $3,387. A larger move will cost $1,895 to $4,033, and a 4+ bedroom move from California to South Carolina costs from $2,394 to $4,947.

Is moving from California to South Carolina a good idea?

If you’re moving to South Carolina from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of Living: California vs South Carolina

California South Carolina
Average rent cost $1,503 $894
Average home cost $758,360 $268,531
Average income (per capita) $78,672 $54,864
Cost of Living Index 100 96
Unemployment rate 5.8% 3.5%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 7.46%
State Income Tax 13.3% 7.0%
  • Rent is about 41% less expensive in South Carolina than in California.
  • Home prices are about 64.6% lower in South Carolina than in California.
  • The average income is about 30.3% lower in South Carolina than in California.
  • Cost of living is 4.0% lower in South Carolina than in California.
  • South Carolina has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 39.7%.
  • Sales taxes are 14.06% lower in South Carolina than in California.
  • Income taxes are 47.37% lower in South Carolina than in California.

How is life different in South Carolina from California?

South Carolina California
Population 5,190,705 39,237,836
Political leaning Republican 55-43 Democratic 63-34
Summer High 91ºF 87ºF
Winter Low 33ºF 59ºF
Annual Rain 48" 22"
Annual Snow 1" 7"
Crime Index 33.15 25.7
  • The population of South Carolina is approximately 87% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, South Carolina voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in South Carolina is 91ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, South Carolina reaches the temperature of 33ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in South Carolina vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In South Carolina, it snows about 1 inches annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • South Carolina has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 33.15 vs 25.7.

Comparing the pros of California vs. South Carolina:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs South Carolina side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in South Carolina
Ample economic opportunity Warm southern hospitality
Pleasant weather Plentiful outdoor activities
Abundant recreational options Beautiful landscapes
High quality of life Consistently gorgeous weather
Fresh and healthy foods Rich historical significance

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. South Carolina:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for South Carolina.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in South Carolina
High cost of living High cost of living
Heavy tax burdens Hurricane frequency
Natural disasters Low quality of healthcare
Terrible traffic High taxes
Strange laws Abundance of construction

Considerations for moving to South Carolina

  • Weather: South Carolina had hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters and coastal areas of the state have very mild winters. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland, the spring and autumn transitions tend to be the wettest periods and winter the driest season, with November being the driest month.
  • HOA Rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator Reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking Permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State Licensing: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: South Carolina does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of Address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forward to South Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection is the most economical option because it doesn’t cost anything. It is offered by movers at no additional charge, but the protection is minimal. Under this option, the mover is responsible for no more than 60 cents per pound per article. For example, if your mover lost or damaged a 50 inch TV weighing 25 pounds, you would only receive $15 (60 cents x 25 pounds). If you need for the full value of your items to be covered, please consult with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Courtesy Movers Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
3515 North Sabre Drive, Fresno, CA, 93727
(559) 402-3800
Grace Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351
(209) 551-7772

Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

Things to do in South Carolina

While you’re in South Carolina, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state.

  • Charleston's Historic District
  • Myrtle Beach
  • Hilton Head Island
  • Brookgreen Gardens
  • Middleton Place
  • Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
  • Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
  • Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
  • Huntington Beach State Park
  • Fort Sumter National Monument
  • South Carolina State Museum
  • Caesars Head State Park
  • Congaree National Park
  • DuPont Planetarium
  • Alligator Adventure
  • UFO Welcome Center
  • The Battery
  • Falls Park on the Reedy
  • Charleston Tea Plantation
  • The Peace Center

Related articles to your move

Learn more about South Carolina