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Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to NY
There are many factors that influence South Carolina moving costs. The cost to move from South Carolina to New York 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 NY
If you’re moving to New York from South Carolina, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Carolina vs. New York
| South Carolina | New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,065 | $1,507 |
| Average home cost | $295,769 | $482,742 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,623 | $81,386 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.46% | 8.52% |
| State Income Tax | 7.0% | 10.9% |
- Rent is about 42% more expensive in New York than in South Carolina.
- Home prices are about 63% higher in New York than in South Carolina.
- The average income is about 28% higher in New York than in South Carolina.
- Cost of living is 4% lower in New York than in South Carolina.
- New York has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 6%.
- Sales taxes are 14% higher in New York than in South Carolina.
- Income taxes are 56% higher in New York than in South Carolina.
How life is different in New York vs. South Carolina
| New York | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,571,216 | 5,373,555 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 60-40 | Republican 58-42 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 16ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 44" | 48" |
| Annual snow | 62" | 1" |
| Crime index | 21.51 | 28.0 |
- The population of New York is approximately 264% greater than the population of South Carolina.
- In the last presidential election, New York voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in New York is 81ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, New York reaches the temperature of 16ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
- You can expect about 44 inches of annual rainfall in New York versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
- In New York, it snows about 62 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
- New York has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 21.51 vs. 28.0.
Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. New York
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New York compared to South Carolina.
| Pros of living in South Carolina | Pros of living in New York |
|---|---|
| Warm southern hospitality | Natural beauty |
| Plentiful outdoor activities | Arts |
| Beautiful landscapes | Ample economic opportunity |
| Consistently gorgeous weather | Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities |
| Rich historical significance | Distinct seasons |
Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. New York
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 New York.
| Cons of living in South Carolina | Cons of living in New York |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | High tax burden |
| Hurricane frequency | Rough winter weather |
| Low quality of healthcare | High cost of living |
| High taxes | Poor quality healthcare |
| Abundance of construction | Populous |
Other things to consider for your South Carolina to New York move
- Weather: The climate of New York state is generally has warm to hot summers and cold winters. In the farther southeastern portion of the state (New York City and Long Island area) hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. Winter temperatures average below freezing during January and February in much of New York state, but several degrees above freezing along the Atlantic coastline, including New York City.
- 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: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: New York 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 New York. Get started here.
- 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. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your 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.
Things to do in New York
While you’re in New York, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Times Square
- Statue of Liberty
- Niagara Falls
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park
- Hudson Valley
- Letchworth State Park
- Adirondack Mountains
- Thousand Islands
- Finger Lakes
- Watkins Glen State Park
- Lake Placid
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Coney Island
- The Bronx Zoo
- Ausable Chasm
- Corning Museum of Glass
- Lake George
- Darwin D. Martin House Complex
- Cooperstown
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from South Carolina to New York?
Hiring a full-service South Carolina moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from South Carolina to New York?
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 New York separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to New York?
The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina to New York are the amazing upsides of living in New York such as natural beauty and arts.
Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or New York?
It is generally cheaper to live in South Carolina than in New York. Housing is much more affordable in South Carolina, with average rent about 29% less and home prices 39% lower than in New York. Taxes are also lower in South Carolina, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by New York residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New York?
You should make approximately $39,029 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New York. The cost of living in New York is approximately $5,700 per month for an individual and $13,509 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New York you live For example, larger cities like New York City and Brooklyn will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
