Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to ALtoggle

There are many factors that influence South Carolina moving costs. The cost to move from South Carolina to Alabama will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in South Carolina is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from SC to AL

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

Cost of living: South Carolina vs. Alabama

South Carolina Alabama
Average rent cost $1,065 $925
Average home cost $295,769 $227,508
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $59,609
Cost of Living Index 96 88
Unemployment rate 4.7% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 7.46% 9.22%
State Income Tax 7.0% 5.0%
  • Rent is about 13% less expensive in Alabama than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 23% lower in Alabama than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 6% lower in Alabama than in South Carolina.
  • Cost of living is 8% lower in Alabama than in South Carolina.
  • Alabama has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 38%.
  • Sales taxes are 24% higher in Alabama than in South Carolina.
  • Income taxes are 29% lower in Alabama than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Alabama vs. South Carolina

Alabama South Carolina
Population 5,108,468 5,373,555
Political leaning Republican 65-35 Republican 58-42
Summer high 91ºF 91ºF
Winter low 33ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 56" 48"
Annual snow 1" 1"
Crime index 21.48 28.0
  • The population of Alabama is approximately 5% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Alabama voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Alabama is 91ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Alabama reaches the temperature of 33ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 56 inches of annual rainfall in Alabama versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Alabama, it snows about 1 inch annually versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Alabama has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 21.48 vs. 28.0.

Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Alabama

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Alabama compared to South Carolina.

Pros of living in South Carolina Pros of living in Alabama
Warm southern hospitality Low cost of living
Plentiful outdoor activities Tasty southern comfort food
Beautiful landscapes Bountiful recreational opportunities
Consistently gorgeous weather Top-notch college football
Rich historical significance Rich history

Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Alabama

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving South Carolina for Alabama.

Cons of living in South Carolina Cons of living in Alabama
High cost of living Poor quality of life
Hurricane frequency Severe weather
Low quality of healthcare Restrictive alcohol laws
High taxes Poor healthcare
Abundance of construction Cockroaches

Other things to consider for your South Carolina to Alabama movetoggle

  • Weather: Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to Alabama.
  • 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 guarantee the safety and reliability of local moving services in Alabama, it is essential for moving companies to possess a registration number issued by the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC). Trust your move to registered professionals for a secure and dependable experience. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Alabama moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Alabama 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Alabama. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Moving companies typically take responsibility for your belongings at a rate of 60 cents per pound (or even less) per item. This means that for a lightweight item weighing five pounds and valued at $500, the reimbursement would be only $3 in the event of loss or damage. To enhance your coverage, certain movers provide additional valuation options, such as declared value or lump sum value protection, which offer better protection compared to the basic released value protection. To better understand and explore these options, consider discussing them with your chosen moving company.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Alabamatoggle

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

  • US Space & Rocket Center
  • Birmingham Zoo
  • Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
  • Point Mallard Park
  • Cheaha State Park
  • USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Gulf Shores
  • McWane Science Center
  • Huntsville Botanical Garden
  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
  • Civil Rights Memorials of Montgomery
  • Mobile Bay
  • Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House Museum
  • W.C. Handy Home and Museum
  • National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
  • Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
  • Montgomery Museum of Fine Art
  • Bellingrath Gardens and Home
  • Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Cathedral Caverns State Park
  • Unclaimed Baggage Center
  • Alligator Alley
  • Mobile Carnival Museum
  • Fort Morgan State Historic Site
  • Talladega Superspeedway

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from South Carolina to Alabama?toggle

Hiring a full-service South Carolina moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from South Carolina to Alabama?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from South Carolina to Alabama separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to Alabama?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina to Alabama are the amazing upsides of living in Alabama such as low cost of living and tasty southern comfort food.

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or Alabama?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Alabama than in South Carolina. Housing is much more affordable in Alabama, with average rent about 13% less and home prices 23.1% lower than in South Carolina. Taxes are also lower in Alabama, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by South Carolina residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Alabama?toggle

You should make approximately $55,474 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Alabama. The cost of living in Alabama is approximately $2,392 per month for an individual and $3,855 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Alabama you live For example, larger cities like Huntsville and Montgomery will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources