Best overall value
Factors affecting the cost of moving from SC to TX
There are many factors that influence South Carolina moving costs. The cost to move from South Carolina to Texas 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 TX
If you’re moving to Texas from South Carolina, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: South Carolina vs. Texas
| South Carolina | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,065 | $1,251 |
| Average home cost | $295,769 | $300,267 |
| Average income (per capita) | $63,623 | $73,035 |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 93 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7% | 4.1% |
| Average Sales Tax | 7.46% | 8.19% |
| State Income Tax | 7.0% | 0.0% |
- Rent is about 17% more expensive in Texas than in South Carolina.
- Home prices are about 2% higher in Texas than in South Carolina.
- The average income is about 15% higher in Texas than in South Carolina.
- Cost of living is 3% lower in Texas than in South Carolina.
- Texas has a lower unemployment rate than South Carolina by about 13%.
- Sales taxes are 10% higher in Texas than in South Carolina.
- Texas has no income tax.
How life is different in Texas vs. South Carolina
| Texas | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,503,301 | 5,373,555 |
| Political leaning | Republican 56-44 | Republican 58-42 |
| Summer high | 94ºF | 91ºF |
| Winter low | 36ºF | 33ºF |
| Annual rain | 36" | 48" |
| Annual snow | 2" | 1" |
| Crime index | 27.32 | 28.0 |
- The population of Texas is approximately 468% greater than the population of South Carolina.
- In the last presidential election, Texas voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
- The average high in the summertime in Texas is 94ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Texas reaches the temperature of 36ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
- You can expect about 36 inches of annual rainfall in Texas versus 48 inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
- In Texas, it snows about 2 inches annually versus 1 inch of snow in South Carolina.
- Texas has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 27.32 vs. 28.0.
Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Texas
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Texas compared to South Carolina.
| Pros of living in South Carolina | Pros of living in Texas |
|---|---|
| Warm southern hospitality | Ample economic opportunity |
| Plentiful outdoor activities | Favorable climate |
| Beautiful landscapes | Delicious barbecue |
| Consistently gorgeous weather | Low taxes |
| Rich historical significance | Privacy and freedom |
Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Texas
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 Texas.
| Cons of living in South Carolina | Cons of living in Texas |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Severe weather |
| Hurricane frequency | Limited healthcare access |
| Low quality of healthcare | High crime rate |
| High taxes | Traffic issues |
| Abundance of construction | Politics |
Other things to consider for your South Carolina to Texas move
- Weather: Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
- 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: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: Texas 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 Texas. 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. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in Texas
While you’re in Texas, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- The Alamo
- San Antonio River Walk (Paseo del Rio)
- Texas State Capitol
- Dallas World Aquarium
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Space Center Houston
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark, New Braunfels
- Big Bend National Park
- Moody Gardens and Aquarium, Galveston Island
- Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Cadillac Ranch
- Natural Bridge Caverns
- The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
- The USS Lexington
- Kemah Boardwalk
- Six Flags Over Texas
- Hamilton Pool
- Dinosaur Valley State Park
- Gruene Historic District
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from South Carolina to Texas?
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 Texas?
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 Texas separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from South Carolina to Texas?
The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina to Texas are the amazing upsides of living in Texas such as ample economic opportunity and favorable climate.
Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or Texas?
It is generally cheaper to live in South Carolina than in Texas. Housing is more affordable in South Carolina, with average rent about 15% less and home prices 2% lower than in Texas. Texas has no income tax.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Texas?
You should make approximately $68,275 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Texas. The cost of living in Texas is approximately $3,087 per month for an individual and $7,804 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Texas you live For example, larger cities like Dallas and Austin will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
