Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to ORtoggle

There are many factors that influence South Carolina moving costs. The cost to move from South Carolina to Oregon 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 OR

If you’re moving to Oregon from South Carolina, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: South Carolina vs. Oregon

South Carolina Oregon
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,373
Average home cost $295,769 $492,683
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $76,632
Cost of Living Index 96 100
Unemployment rate 4.7% 4.0%
Average Sales Tax 7.46% 0.0%
State Income Tax 7.0% 9.9%
  • Rent is about 29% more expensive in Oregon than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 67% higher in Oregon than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 20% higher in Oregon than in South Carolina.
  • Cost of living is 4% lower in Oregon than in South Carolina.
  • Oregon has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 15%.
  • Sales taxes are 100% lower in Oregon than in South Carolina.
  • Income taxes are 41% higher in Oregon than in South Carolina.

How life is different in Oregon vs. South Carolina

Oregon South Carolina
Population 4,233,358 5,373,555
Political leaning Democratic 56-44 Republican 58-42
Summer high 82ºF 91ºF
Winter low 31ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 41" 48"
Annual snow 13" 1"
Crime index 32.78 28.0
  • The population of Oregon is approximately 21% lower than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Oregon voted Democratic and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Oregon is 82ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Oregon reaches the temperature of 31ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about 41 inches of annual rainfall in Oregon versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Oregon, it snows about 13 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
  • Oregon has a higher crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 32.78 vs. 28.0.

Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Oregon

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Oregon compared to South Carolina.

Pros of living in South Carolina Pros of living in Oregon
Warm southern hospitality Beautiful landscapes
Plentiful outdoor activities Delicious and authentic wineries
Beautiful landscapes Beautiful summer weather
Consistently gorgeous weather No sales tax
Rich historical significance Abundant outdoor recreational activities

Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Oregon

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 Oregon.

Cons of living in South Carolina Cons of living in Oregon
High cost of living Difficult housing market
Hurricane frequency High cost of living
Low quality of healthcare Poor quality education
High taxes Low marks for personal safety
Abundance of construction Heavy tax burden

Other things to consider for your South Carolina to Oregon movetoggle

  • Weather: Most of Oregon has a generally mild climate, though there is significant variation given the variety of landscapes across the state. Oregon is very wet in the winter, moderately to very wet during the spring and fall, and dry during the summer. The eastern two-thirds of Oregon, which largely comprise high desert, have cold, snowy winters and very dry summers.
  • 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: Moving companies headquartered in Oregon must possess an up-to-date USDOT Number as well as a license issued by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Oregon moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Oregon 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 Oregon. 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. Released Value Protection is a cost-effective choice as it comes at no extra cost. Movers provide this option without additional charges, but the coverage it offers is minimal. With Released Value Protection, the mover's liability is limited to 60 cents per pound per article.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Oregontoggle

While you’re in Oregon, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Crater Lake National Park
  • Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
  • Mount Hood National Forest
  • Cannon Beach
  • Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
  • Visit Yachats
  • Visit Astoria
  • Oregon Coast Aquarium
  • Wallowa Lake
  • Portland Japanese Garden
  • Smith Rock State Park
  • Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
  • Silver Falls State Park
  • Willamette National Forest
  • Newberry National Volcanic Monument
  • Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
  • Columbia River Maritime Museum
  • High Desert Museum
  • Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
  • Powell’s City of Books
  • Voodoo Doughnut
  • Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
  • Washington Park
  • John Day Fossil Beds
  • Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from South Carolina to Oregon?toggle

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 Oregon?toggle

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 Oregon separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to Oregon?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina to Oregon are the amazing upsides of living in Oregon such as beautiful landscapes and delicious and authentic wineries.

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or Oregon?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in South Carolina than in Oregon. Housing is much more affordable in South Carolina, with average rent about 22% less and home prices 40% lower than in Oregon. Taxes are also lower in South Carolina, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by Oregon residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Oregon?toggle

You should make approximately $74,159 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Oregon. The cost of living in Oregon is approximately $2,193 per month for an individual and $5,228 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Oregon you live For example, larger cities like Portland and Eugene will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources