Things to know before moving from South Carolina to Charlotte, NC

Cost of living: South Carolina vs Charlotte, NC

South Carolina Charlotte
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,790
Average home value $295,769 $391,658
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $64,814
Unemployment rate 5% 3%
State income tax 7% 5%
  • Rent is about 68% more expensive in Charlotte than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 32% higher in Charlotte than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 2% higher in Charlotte than in South Carolina.
  • Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 30%.
  • Income taxes are 36% lower in Charlotte than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Charlotte from South Carolina

Charlotte South Carolina
Population 874,579 5,373,555
Political leaning Republican 51-48 Republican 58-42
Summer high 89ºF 91ºF
Winter low 30ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 43" 48"
Annual snow 2" 1"
Crime index 46.52 28.0
  • The population of Charlotte is approximately 84% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Charlotte voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Charlotte is 89ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Charlotte reaches the temperature of 30ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 43 inches of annual rainfall in Charlotte vs 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Charlotte, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Charlotte has a higher crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 46.52 vs 28.0.

Things to do in Charlotte

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

Museums in Charlottetoggle

  • Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
  • Billy Graham Library
  • Carolinas Aviation Museum
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fire Education Center and Museum
  • Charlotte Nature Museum in Freedom Park
  • Charlotte Trolley Museum in Historic South End
  • Discovery Place
  • Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville
  • Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
  • Historic Rosedale Plantation
  • Levine Museum of the New South
  • The Light Factory
  • McColl Center for Art + Innovation
  • Mint Museum
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Second Ward Alumni House Museum
  • Wells Fargo History Museum
  • Charlotte Museum of History

Parks in Charlottetoggle

  • Arequipa Park
  • Baxter Street Park
  • Fourth Ward Park
  • Frazier Park
  • Independence Park
  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway
  • Marshall Park
  • Ninth Street Park
  • Pearle Street Park
  • Pinewood/Elmwood Cemetery
  • Polk Park
  • Settler's Cemetery
  • The Green
  • Thompson Park

Sports Teams in Charlottetoggle

  • Carolina Panthers
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Charlotte FC
  • Charlotte Checkers
  • Charlotte Knights
  • Charlotte Independence
  • Charlotte Eagles
  • Charlotte Lady Eagles

Universities in Charlottetoggle

  • Central Piedmont Community College
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • Queens University of Charlotte
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Other considerations when moving to Charlotte, NC

  • Weather: Charlotte has a moderate climate. Your move is unlikely to be affected by the weather although, the rare snow day in the wintertime could make the road conditions difficult to drive on.
  • 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: For-profit household goods carriers in the state fall under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division. All legitimate movers should have a “C Number” issued by the commission, signifying that they’ve met minimum insurance requirements and adhere to the provisions outlined in the state’s Maximum Rate Tariff (MRT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a North Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: North Carolina 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 North Carolina. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers, with responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives 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.

Compare the pros and cons of South Carolina vs. Charlotte, NC

Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Charlotte, NC:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in South Carolina vs Charlotte side-by-side.

Pros of living in South Carolina Pros of living in Charlotte, NC
Warm southern hospitality Delicious food
Plentiful outdoor activities Ample economic opportunity
Beautiful landscapes Quality education
Consistently gorgeous weather Low cost of living
Rich historical significance Pleasant weather

Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Charlotte, NC:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving South Carolina for Charlotte.

Cons of living in South Carolina Cons of living in Charlotte, NC
High cost of living Natural disasters
Hurricane frequency Quiet nightlife
Low quality of healthcare Low diversity
High taxes Terrible drivers
Abundance of construction Terrible traffic

FAQ

How long does a move from South Carolina to Charlotte take?

The time frame for a move from South Carolina to Charlotte, NC, 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte?

Because of the 112-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Carolina to Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC?

With the summer highs of 89ºF and the winter lows of 30ºF, most people move to Charlotte 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 Charlotte during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources