Things to know before moving from South Carolina to Boston, MA

Cost of living: South Carolina vs Boston, MA

South Carolina Boston
Average rent cost $1,065 $3,400
Average home value $295,769 $739,121
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $89,212
Unemployment rate 5% 6%
State income tax 7% 9%
  • Rent is about 219% more expensive in Boston than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 150% higher in Boston than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 40% higher in Boston than in South Carolina.
  • Boston has a higher unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 32%.
  • Income taxes are 29% higher in Boston than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Boston from South Carolina

Boston South Carolina
Population 675,647 5,373,555
Political leaning Republican 49-48 Republican 58-42
Summer high 82ºF 91ºF
Winter low 19ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 47" 48"
Annual snow 48" 1"
Crime index 39.88 28.0
  • The population of Boston is approximately 87% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Boston voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Boston is 82ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Boston reaches the temperature of 19ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 47 inches of annual rainfall in Boston vs 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Boston, it snows about 48 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Boston has a higher crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 39.88 vs 28.0.

Things to do in Boston

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

Museums in Bostontoggle

  • Museum of Fine Arts
  • Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
  • John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library
  • Museum of Science
  • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
  • USS Constitution Museum
  • The Mapparium
  • Boston Children's Museum
  • New England Holocaust Memorial
  • Old State House
  • The Paul Revere House
  • Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
  • USS Cassin Young
  • The Institute of Contemporary Art
  • Boston Athenaeum

Parks in Bostontoggle

  • Boston Public Garden
  • Boston Common
  • Arnold Arboretum
  • Charles River Esplanade
  • Rose Kennedy Greenway
  • Commonwealth Avenue Mall
  • Frog Pond
  • The Lawn On D
  • Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park
  • Peddocks Island
  • Piers Park
  • Paul Revere Mall
  • James P Kelleher Rose Garden
  • Jamaica Pond
  • Emerald Necklace

Sports Teams in Bostontoggle

  • Boston Red Sox (MLB)
  • Boston Bruins (NHL)
  • Boston Celtics (NBA)
  • New England Patriots (NFL)
  • New England Revolution (MLS)

Universities in Bostontoggle

  • Bay State College
  • Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
  • Berklee College of Music
  • Boston Architectural College
  • Boston University
  • Bunker Hill Community College
  • Cambridge College
  • Emerson College
  • Emmanuel College
  • Fisher College
  • Massachusetts College of Art and Design
  • Suffolk University
  • Simmons University

Other considerations when moving to Boston, MA

  • Weather: Boston summers are typically warm and humid, while winters are cold and stormy, with occasional periods of heavy snow. Spring and fall are usually cool to mild.
  • 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: Moving companies in Massachusetts are required to obtain a license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities – Transportation Oversight Division to provide local and intrastate moving services in Massachusetts movers must carry adequate cargo insurance and publicly file their tariffs required to list the services they provide and the cost for each. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Massachusetts moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Alabama and Massachusetts, Released Value Protection is a no-cost option provided by movers but offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. If you seek full value coverage for your items, consider consulting with your moving company for alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • 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 Boston take?

The time frame for a move from South Carolina to Boston, MA, 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 Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston?

Because of the 933-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Carolina to Boston 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 Boston, MA?

With the summer highs of 82ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Boston 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 Boston during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources