Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to ME
There are many factors that influence
South Carolina moving costs.
The cost to move from South Carolina to Maine 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 ME
If you’re moving to Maine from South Carolina, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Carolina vs. Maine
|
South Carolina |
Maine |
| Average rent cost |
$1,065 |
$1,009 |
| Average home cost |
$295,769 |
$401,297 |
| Average income (per capita) |
$63,623 |
$68,251 |
| Cost of Living Index |
96 |
100 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.7% |
2.9% |
| Average Sales Tax |
7.46% |
5.5% |
| State Income Tax |
7.0% |
5.8% |
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Rent is about 5% less expensive in Maine than in South Carolina.
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Home prices are about 36% higher in Maine than in South Carolina.
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The average income is about 7% higher in Maine than in South Carolina.
-
Cost of living is 4% lower in Maine than in South Carolina.
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Maine has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 38%.
-
Sales taxes are 26% lower in Maine than in South Carolina.
-
Income taxes are 17% lower in Maine than in South Carolina.
How life is different in Maine vs. South Carolina
|
Maine |
South Carolina |
| Population |
1,395,722 |
5,373,555 |
| Political leaning |
Democratic 52.6-45.3 |
Republican 58-42 |
| Summer high |
78ºF |
91ºF |
| Winter low |
7ºF |
33ºF |
| Annual rain |
46" |
48" |
| Annual snow |
75" |
1" |
| Crime index |
13.17 |
28.0 |
-
The population of Maine is approximately 74% lower than the population of South Carolina.
-
In the last presidential election, Maine voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
-
The average high in the summertime in Maine is 78ºF
and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
-
During the coldest part of the year, Maine reaches the temperature of 7ºF
and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
-
You can expect about 46 inches of annual rainfall in Maine versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
-
In Maine, it snows about 75 inches annually
versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
-
Maine has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index
of 13.17 vs. 28.0.
Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Maine
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Maine compared to South Carolina.
| Pros of living in South Carolina |
Pros of living in Maine |
| Warm southern hospitality |
Beautiful outdoors |
| Plentiful outdoor activities |
High quality |
| Beautiful landscapes |
Delicious fresh food |
| Consistently gorgeous weather |
Ample economic opportunity |
| Rich historical significance |
Bountiful recreational opportunities |
Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Maine
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 Maine.
| Cons of living in South Carolina |
Cons of living in Maine |
| High cost of living |
Harsh winter weather |
| Hurricane frequency |
High tax burden |
| Low quality of healthcare |
Remote |
| High taxes |
Limited job progression |
| Abundance of construction |
Low diversity |
Other things to consider for your South Carolina to Maine move
- Weather: Maine has a humid continental climate. with warm and sometimes humid summers, and long, cold and very snowy winters. Winters are especially severe in the Northern and Western parts of Maine, while coastal areas are moderated slightly by the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in marginally milder winters and cooler summers than inland regions.
-
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 Maine, 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 Maine moving license
and its status on the state regulator's official website.
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Moving permits:
Maine 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 Maine.
Get started here.
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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.
Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
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Moving checklist:
Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Maine
While you’re in Maine, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- 1: Marginal Way and Ogunquit Beach
- 2: Acadia National Park
- 3: Mount Desert Island
- 4: Kennebunkport
- 5: Baxter State Park
- 6: Boothbay Harbor
- 7: Old Orchard Beach
- 8: Portland Museum of Art
- 9: Portland Head Light
- 10: Victoria Mansion
- 11: Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse
- 12: Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
- 13: Desert of Maine
- 14: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
- 15: Monhegan Island
- 16: Maine Maritime Museum
- 17: Farnsworth Art Museum
- 18: West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
- 19: Asticou Azalea Garen
- 20: Seashore Trolley Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from South Carolina to Maine?
Do movers transport your car from South Carolina to Maine?
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 Maine
separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to Maine?
The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina to Maine are the amazing upsides of living in Maine such as
beautiful outdoors and high quality.
Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or Maine?
It is generally cheaper to live in South Carolina than in Maine.
Housing
is much more affordable in South Carolina,
with average rent about 6% less
and home prices 26% lower than in Maine.
However, taxes are lower in Maine, most notably income taxes,
which are more than 10% less than those paid by
South Carolina residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Maine?
You should make approximately $60,365 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Maine.
The cost of living in Maine is approximately $2,226 per month for an individual and $5,563 for a family of four.
The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Maine you live
For example, larger cities like Portland and Lewiston will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
Helpful moving resources
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