Moving To South Carolina (SC): Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to deciding where to hang your hat, South Carolina has a lot to offer, no matter what you are into. Are you a history buff that loves old buildings? There are 100-year-old churches in Charleston that offer incredible architectural history to explore. Is a more modern, high-tech vibe your thing? Rock Hill offers tech incubators that will get your creative techie juices flowing. Or maybe you're the outdoorsy type? The breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and sunny settings of Myrtle Beach are sure to get your heart racing.

From bustling city centers to peaceful natural escapes, the Palmetto State offers a diverse range of attractions for residents and visitors alike. Beyond great leisure time activities, South Carolina offers a robust job market as well. Universities, military complexes, health care institutions, technology companies and a variety of other prominent businesses call this southern state home.

What’s The Economy Like In South Carolina?

As you may have already realized, there are many factors to consider when moving to a new state. Variables like weather, outdoor activities, night life, culinary delights and other recreational activities might be the first things you consider. However, other variables, like economic factors, are just as critical to think about. Let’s look at the South Carolina economy, including an analysis of the job market, cost of living, housing and retirement.

Job Market

If you are looking for a fast-growing job market, look no further than South Carolina. In fact, a recent report by Columbia Business named South Carolina as having the fastest-growing job market in America. In the last 10 years, job openings in South Carolina have increased by a whopping 142.36%. Other key factors to consider when analyzing any job market are unemployment and average median income:

• Average median income: According to Statista, the median income in South Carolina is $61,770. That's slightly lower than the median household income for the country as a whole, which is $74,580
• Unemployment rate: The South Carolina unemployment rate is 3%. This is down from 3.2% the previous year and far below the state’s highest recent rate which was 11.4% in 2009.

Cost Of Living

Understanding the cost of living in South Carolina is critically important before deciding to move there. The average monthly cost of living is $2,332 in South Carolina, according to the Economic Policy Institute. This is for a single person with no children, so if you have kids, that number changes pretty significantly. Here are a few other metrics that can help you understand the cost of living in South Carolina.

• Consumer Price Index (CPI): According to the U.S Bureau of Labor statistics, prices in the southern region (which includes South Carolina) are up 0.2% in April 2024 compared to March 2024 and are up 3.3% over April 2023.
• Sales tax rate: South Carolina has a 6% state sales tax rate. It also has a maximum of 3% for local sales tax. When the state and local sales taxes are combined, the average rate is 7.43%.

Housing

Understanding the current housing market in South Carolina before you dive into your home search is important. Metrics like the median home sale price, the average number of days on the market homes sit before being sold, and the number of homes sold in a month are helpful guideposts for your South Carolina home buying journey.

• Median home sale price: The median home price in April 2024 in South Carolina was $385,700 which is a 7.8% increase from last year.
• Median days on market: Homes sat on the market for 63 days (median) before being sold in South Carolina in April 2024. This is an increase of two homes compared to April 2023.
• Homes sold per month: 6,587 homes were sold in South Carolina in April 2024, which is a 7.1% increase from last year. 

Retirement

If you’re thinking about buying your forever home, you should consider how friendly your next home state is when it comes to retirement. South Carolina boasts mild temperatures and affordable living compared to most U.S. states, making it an ideal place to live out your golden years. Based on our analysis of metrics such as population growth over age 65, cost of living and health care infrastructure, South Carolina placed thirteenth in our list of Best States To Retire,

South Carolina Lifestyle

Let’s look at some key factors that influence the South Carolina lifestyle, including climate, arts/culture and recreation and leisure.

Climate

South Carolina is known for hot, humid summers and mild winters. That depends on where you are in the state though. The beach communities are warmer while the mountainous areas offer a cooler climate.

Arts And Culture

South Carolina boasts an array of delightful cuisine throughout its vibrant cities. While enjoying these tasty delights, why not catch a show? A robust performing arts and music scene can be found in many South Carolina locales.

Recreation And Leisure

If you’re into boating, golfing, hiking and other outdoor recreational activities, South Carolina might be the perfect place for you. The serene beaches and majestic mountains offer ideal backdrops for a population that loves getting outdoors for fun in the sun.

Popular Cities In South Carolina

Let’s zoom in a bit, shall we? Hopefully by now you understand why South Carolina is a great state to live in, but let’s look at a few of the most popular cities to move to in South Carolina to help narrow your search.

Charleston

Charleston has the most people and the most history in South Carolina. It is the oldest city in the state, featuring elegant old world inspired architecture. It combines this with a thriving food, retail and entertainment scene, making it a hot spot for residents and tourists.

Columbia

Like Charleston, Columbia boasts a robust food and entertainment vibe. It also hosts the state’s largest college, University of South Carolina. If you are looking for a fun, vibrant college town, look no further than Columbia.

Mount Pleasant

Not far from Charleston, you’ll find a large (population 94,545) suburban coastal community called Mount Pleasant. Fabulous food and an array of outdoor activities and entertainments are what this pleasant South Carolina paradise is known for.

Myrtle Beach

Located in the very heart of South Carolina’s Grand Strand coast, Myrtle Beach has only about 35,000 residents, but welcomes millions of visitors each year. The warm breezes, inviting beaches and exceptional food and entertainment options make this one of the most desirable places to live in South Carolina.

The Moving Process: How To Move To South Carolina

Are you sold on South Carolina yet? If so, let’s look at a few key steps to take as you begin your Palmetto State home search.

1. Research neighborhoods. When it comes to finding the right area to live, do your research and be as specific as you can when you talk to your real estate agent.
2. Look for job opportunities. Homes aren’t free (perhaps your already knew that?) so make sure you have a job lined up or one you can do from anywhere before purchasing a place.
3. Prepare a moving checklist. A moving checklist is a great way to organize and simplify a move. There will always be surprises, but getting everything you need to do into a list instead of trying to hold it all in your brain can be a great stress reliever.
4. Hire a moving company. Moving everything yourself might save you a little money, but hiring movers is usually worth the investment. Interview a few different companies before selecting one.
5. Begin packing. Boxes, tape, moving carts and bubble wrap should be on your list for packing supplies and it’s never too early in the process to get started.
6. Update your personal information. Make sure you update all the necessary information with your new address, including subscriptions services, utilities, mail and credit card information, just to name a few.

How To Plan Your Move To South Carolina

If you’re ready to move to South Carolina, use this handy checklist to stay on top of the logistics:

1. Research Neighborhoods

Choosing the right neighborhood in South Carolina means doing some research based on your circumstances. For example, factors like school district, noise level and HOAs will help you narrow your search. In addition, working with a local real estate agent can help you get a feel for the area.

2. Look Into Career Opportunities

Moving to an unfamiliar city can mean struggling to find work. However, you can be proactive in this respect in numerous ways. First, ask your employer if they have a branch in South Carolina, since you may be able to move your job to a new state. You can also leverage your professional contacts to set up interviews and get an offer before you move. In addition, it’s wise to surf online job boards for opportunities in the area to see what’s available. On the other hand, the growing popularity of remote work might mean you can take your current job with you and continue working from afar.

3. Find A Real Estate Agent 

Finding a real estate agent who is experienced and knowledgeable about South Carolina’s neighborhoods is a crucial step in your move. Searching local listings through websites like RocketHomes.com can help you find an agent familiar with the city you’re moving to. If you’re visiting the area, you can also meet an agent by visiting open houses.

4. Make An Offer

It’s vital to look for a home and make an offer that stands out to the seller. An outstanding offer means obtaining mortgage preapproval from a lender, getting information from your agent on the seller’s preferences and tailoring your offer to get accepted. For example, the seller might have an inflexible moving date or have a rigid price point regardless of the appraisal. Therefore, you may have to adjust your timeline for closing or include an appraisal guarantee to beat the competition.

5. Hire Movers

Hiring movers can streamline your move to South Carolina. Although an interstate move increases the price of movers, hiring help can reduce the physical strain of packing and transporting everything you own. If moving seems overwhelming, a relocation company can coordinate the logistics, including moving your possessions, selling your house, finding a new home and job search assistance. If you’re relocating for a job, your new employer might hire a relocation company to help you make an efficient move.

FAQs: Moving To S.C.

Hopefully you feel more prepared to start a South Carolina home search after reading this far, but you may still have a few questions. Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about moving to South Carolina.

How long does it take to establish residency in South Carolina?

You must live in South Carolina for 12 consecutive months (1 year) to establish residency. You also need to update information like your driver’s license and vehicle registration, if applicable.

Will I need a car in South Carolina or is there public transportation?

Most major cities in South Carolina have public transportation and are highly walkable. So, if you gravitate to some of those places you might be just fine without a car. South Carolina does have some smaller towns with less public transit options, though. It’s a good idea to investigate the public transit and walkability of the specific city and neighborhood you are interested in before purchasing a home in South Carolina.

Are there National Parks in South Carolina?

Yes! South Carolina is home to many national historic parks, sites and battlefields, including Congaree National Park. Congaree has one of the most biodiverse forests in the U.S and is home to a huge variety of bird species.

Why is South Carolina called “The Palmetto State”?

An abundance of Palmetto Palms (Sabal palmetto) naturally grow in South Carolina, but the meaning of the state’s nickname goes beyond that. Palmetto tree logs were used to build a fort on Sullivan’s Island that successfully defended Charleston against the British Navy in 1776.

The Bottom Line: Consider A Move To South Carolina

Vibrant cities, rich history, ideal climates and breathtaking landscapes make South Carolina a great place to live. Ready to make The Palmetto State your home? Start the approval process today.