Things to know before moving from South Carolina to Albany, NY

Cost of living: South Carolina vs Albany, NY

South Carolina Albany
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,450
Average home value $295,769 $281,584
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $66,546
Unemployment rate 5% 7%
State income tax 7% 11%
  • Rent is about 36% more expensive in Albany than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 5% lower in Albany than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 5% higher in Albany than in South Carolina.
  • Albany has a higher unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 51%.
  • Income taxes are 56% higher in Albany than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Albany from South Carolina

Albany South Carolina
Population 99,224 5,373,555
Political leaning Democratic 65-33 Republican 58-42
Summer high 83ºF 91ºF
Winter low 15ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 40" 48"
Annual snow 52" 1"
Crime index 10.0 28.0
  • The population of Albany is approximately 98% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Albany voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Albany is 83ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Albany reaches the temperature of 15ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Albany vs 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Albany, it snows about 52 inches annually vs 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Albany has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 28.0 vs 10.0.

Things to do in Albany

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

Museums in Albanytoggle

  • New York State Museum
  • USS Slater DE-766
  • Albany Institute of History & Art
  • The Irish American Heritage Museum
  • American Italian Heritage Museum

Parks in Albanytoggle

  • Washington Park
  • Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Sports Teams in Albanytoggle

  • Albany Great Danes (America East)
  • Saint Rose Golden Knights (NE-10)

Universities in Albanytoggle

  • Maria College of Albany
  • Mildred Elley School Albany Campus
  • The College of Saint Rose
  • Bryant and Stratton College Albany
  • Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  • Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
  • SUNY at Albany

Other considerations when moving to Albany, NY

  • Weather: August, June and July are the best months to consider moving into Albany as weather during these months are very favorable. During October to January, Albany experiences a cold weather where it can get snow and rain and could be colder than the rest of the New York States.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New York. 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. 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.

FAQ

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

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

Because of the 857-mile move, it’s best to book your move from South Carolina to Albany 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 Albany, NY?

With the summer highs of 83ºF and the winter lows of 15ºF, most people move to Albany 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 Albany during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources