Things to know before moving from South Carolina to Baltimore, MD

Cost of living: South Carolina vs Baltimore, MD

South Carolina Baltimore
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,600
Average home value $295,769 $180,790
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $58,349
Unemployment rate 5% 8%
State income tax 7% 6%
  • Rent is about 50% more expensive in Baltimore than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 39% lower in Baltimore than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 8% lower in Baltimore than in South Carolina.
  • Baltimore has a higher unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 68%.
  • Income taxes are 18% lower in Baltimore than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Baltimore from South Carolina

Baltimore South Carolina
Population 585,708 5,373,555
Political leaning Democratic 51-46 Republican 58-42
Summer high 88ºF 91ºF
Winter low 27ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 42" 48"
Annual snow 19" 1"
Crime index 72.72 28.0
  • The population of Baltimore is approximately 89% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Baltimore voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Baltimore is 88ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Baltimore reaches the temperature of 27ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 42 inches of annual rainfall in Baltimore vs 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Baltimore, it snows about 19 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Baltimore has a higher crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 72.72 vs 28.0.

Things to do in Baltimore

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

Museums in Baltimoretoggle

  • The Walters Art Museum
  • American Visionary Art Museum
  • Baltimore Museum of Art
  • B&O Railroad Museum
  • Baltimore Museum of Industry
  • Maryland Science Center
  • National Cryptologic Museum
  • Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum
  • Port Discovery Children's Museum
  • Great Blacks in Wax Museum
  • USS Torsk
  • Reginald F. Lewis Museum
  • Maryland Center for History and Culture
  • S.S. John W. Brown
  • Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

Parks in Baltimoretoggle

  • Federal Hill Park
  • Patterson Park
  • Canton Waterfront Park
  • Leakin Park
  • Druid Hill Park
  • Lake Roland Park
  • Riverside Park
  • Pierce's Park
  • Rash Field
  • Winan's Meadow
  • St. Mary's Park
  • Canton Square

Sports Teams in Baltimoretoggle

  • Baltimore Orioles (MLB)
  • Baltimore Ravens (NFL)

Universities in Baltimoretoggle

  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Maryland--Baltimore County
  • Goucher College
  • Loyola University Maryland
  • Notre Dame of Maryland University
  • University of Baltimore
  • Coppin State University
  • Morgan State University
  • Maryland Institute College of Art

Other considerations when moving to Baltimore, MD

  • Weather: Baltimore has long hot summers, cool winters, and a summer peak to annual precipitation. Spring and autumn are warm, with spring being the wettest season in terms of the number of precipitation days.
  • 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: Although a local license is not required in Maryland, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Maryland moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Maryland 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 Maryland. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Alabama, Released Value Protection stands out as the most economical option, incurring no additional costs. Provided by movers at no extra charge, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For those seeking comprehensive coverage, it is advisable to consult with your chosen 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 Baltimore take?

The time frame for a move from South Carolina to Baltimore, MD, 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore?

Because of the 533-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Carolina to Baltimore 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 Baltimore, MD?

With the summer highs of 88ºF and the winter lows of 27ºF, most people move to Baltimore 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 Baltimore during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources