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

Cost of living: South Carolina vs Fayetteville, NC

South Carolina Fayetteville
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,300
Average home value $295,769 $199,299
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $59,180
Unemployment rate 5% 7%
State income tax 7% 5%
  • Rent is about 22% more expensive in Fayetteville than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 33% lower in Fayetteville than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Fayetteville than in South Carolina.
  • Fayetteville has a higher unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 51%.
  • Income taxes are 36% lower in Fayetteville than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Fayetteville from South Carolina

Fayetteville South Carolina
Population 211,657 5,373,555
Political leaning Democratic 57-41 Republican 58-42
Summer high 91ºF 91ºF
Winter low 32ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 45" 48"
Annual snow 2" 1"
Crime index 6.0 28.0
  • The population of Fayetteville is approximately 96% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Fayetteville voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Fayetteville is 91ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Fayetteville reaches the temperature of 32ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 45 inches of annual rainfall in Fayetteville vs 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Fayetteville, it snows about 2 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Fayetteville has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 28.0 vs 6.0.

Things to do in Fayetteville

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

Museums in Fayettevilletoggle

  • Airborne and Special Operations Museum
  • Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum
  • Fascinate-U Children's Museum
  • Museum of Cape Fear
  • David McCune International Art Gallery
  • The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County
  • Alter Egos Gallery & Studio

Parks in Fayettevilletoggle

  • Cape Fear River Trail
  • Cape Fear Botanical Garden
  • Veterans Park
  • Lake Rim Park
  • J. Bayard Clark Park and Nature Center
  • Arsenal Park
  • Mazerick Park

Universities in Fayettevilletoggle

  • Fayetteville State University
  • Fayetteville Technical Community College
  • Methodist University

Other considerations when moving to Fayetteville, NC

  • Weather: May, October and April are the best months to move in Fayetteville, while you need to reconsider your plans on July and August.
  • 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.

FAQ

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

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

Because of the 180-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Carolina to Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville, NC?

With the summer highs of 91ºF and the winter lows of 32ºF, most people move to Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources