Things to know before moving from South Carolina to Baton Rouge, LA

Cost of living: South Carolina vs Baton Rouge, LA

South Carolina Baton Rouge
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,250
Average home value $295,769 $213,584
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $60,369
Unemployment rate 5% 8%
State income tax 7% 4%
  • Rent is about 17% more expensive in Baton Rouge than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 28% lower in Baton Rouge than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 5% lower in Baton Rouge than in South Carolina.
  • Baton Rouge has a higher unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 60%.
  • Income taxes are 39% lower in Baton Rouge than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Baton Rouge from South Carolina

Baton Rouge South Carolina
Population 222,191 5,373,555
Political leaning Democratic 56-43 Republican 58-42
Summer high 92ºF 91ºF
Winter low 40ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 63" 48"
Annual snow 0" 1"
Crime index 2.0 28.0
  • The population of Baton Rouge is approximately 96% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Baton Rouge voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Baton Rouge is 92ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Baton Rouge reaches the temperature of 40ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 63 inches of annual rainfall in Baton Rouge vs 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Baton Rouge, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Baton Rouge has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 28.0 vs 2.0.

Things to do in Baton Rouge

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Baton Rouge.

Museums in Baton Rougetoggle

  • LSU Rural Life Museum
  • Capitol Park Museum - Louisiana State Museum
  • Knock Knock Children's Museum
  • Louisiana Art & Science Museum
  • Burden Museum & Gardens
  • LSU Museum of Art"
  • Old Arsenal Museum (Department of Veterans Affairs)
  • Louisiana State Archives

Parks in Baton Rougetoggle

  • Mike the Tiger's Habitat
  • Baton Rouge Zoo
  • Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
  • Riverfront Plaza
  • LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
  • Burden Museum & Gardens
  • University Lake
  • Arsenal Park
  • LSU Hilltop Arboretum
  • Spanish Town Park

Sports Teams in Baton Rougetoggle

  • LSU Tigers (SEC)
  • Southern Jaguars (SWAC)

Universities in Baton Rougetoggle

  • Baton Rouge College
  • Baton Rouge Community College
  • Capital Area Technical College Baton Rouge Campus
  • Virginia College
  • Our Lady of the Lake College
  • Medvance Institute Baton Rouge
  • University of Phoenix Baton Rouge
  • Remington College Baton Rouge Campus
  • Court Reporting Institute of Louisiana
  • Southern University and A & M College
  • Louisiana State University

Other considerations when moving to Baton Rouge, LA

  • Weather: Best months to plan a move to Baton rouge are April, October and November as these are these month have more favorable weather, while July and August are the least comfortable months which can cause discomfort during a move.
  • 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: If you’re using a legitimate moving company to relocate from one home or apartment within the state to another, look for a company regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). During the pre-move screening process, families on the move should verify that prospective movers are registered and in good standing with the LPSC. In cases of substandard service, inflated costs, and unlicensed movers operating illegally, consumers may file a complaint, after which the commission will initiate an investigation. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Louisiana moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Louisiana 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 forwarded to Louisiana. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for free coverage at 60 cents per pound from movers. For full-value protection, explore alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from South Carolina to Baton Rouge take?

The time frame for a move from South Carolina to Baton Rouge, LA, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in South Carolina, the longer the drive time to Baton Rouge will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Baton Rouge from South Carolina can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from South Carolina to Baton Rouge?

Because of the 725-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Carolina to Baton Rouge as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Baton Rouge, LA?

With the summer highs of 92ºF and the winter lows of 40ºF, most people move to Baton Rouge from South Carolina during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Baton Rouge during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources