($1,149) Moving From Illinois to South Carolina

Quick answer: The average cost to move from Illinois to South Carolina ranges from $669 to $5,873 and takes two-seven days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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  • Family owned
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  • Certified crews
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Hiring a full-service Illinois moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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 Illinois to South Carolina separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from South Carolina to Illinois guide.

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The best Illinois to South Carolina movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from Illinois to South Carolina is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving Illinois to South Carolina:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
Best for Quick Quotes
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
At A Glance
  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local Illinois movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
STI Moving & Storage Inc. Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
7400 Niles Center Rd, Skokie, IL, 60077
(847) 675-1223
Alliance Moving & Storage Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.96 overall rating
3201 Tollview Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL, 60008
(847) 378-4949

Visit our Best Movers in Illinois page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from Illinois to South Carolina?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from Illinois to South Carolina for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,149 - $4,151 $830 - $1,841 $573 - $1,080
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,392 - $5,873 $1,377 - $2,858 $669 - $1,388
4+ bedrooms $3,814 - $7,645 $1,927 - $3,661 $838 - $1,525

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 844 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from IL to SC

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

How much does it cost to hire movers from Illinois to South Carolina?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from Illinois to South Carolina will cost between $1,149 and $4,151. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from IL to SC will range from $2,392 to $5,873, and a large move from Illinois to South Carolina will cost from $3,814 to $7,645.

How much are moving containers like PODS from Illinois to South Carolina?

Moving containers from Illinois to South Carolina will cost you $830 to $1,841 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,377 to $2,858. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $1,927 to $3,661. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of Illinois.

How much is a moving truck from Illinois to South Carolina?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $573 to $1,080. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $669 to $1,388, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from Illinois to South Carolina costs from $838 to $1,525.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from Illinois to South Carolina a good idea?

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

Cost of living: Illinois vs. South Carolina

Illinois South Carolina
Average rent cost $1,038 $918
Average home cost $249,224 $287,063
Average income (per capita) $78,433 $63,623
Cost of Living Index 90 96
Unemployment rate 4.6% 2.9%
Average Sales Tax 8.82% 7.46%
State Income Tax 4.95% 7.0%
  • Rent is about 12% less expensive in South Carolina than in Illinois.
  • Home prices are about 15% higher in South Carolina than in Illinois.
  • The average income is about 19% lower in South Carolina than in Illinois.
  • Cost of living is 7% lower in South Carolina than in Illinois.
  • South Carolina has a lower unemployment rate than Illinois by about 37%.
  • Sales taxes are 15% lower in South Carolina than in Illinois.
  • Income taxes are 41% higher in South Carolina than in Illinois.

How does life in South Carolina differ from Illinois?

South Carolina Illinois
Population 5,190,705 12,582,032
Political leaning Republican 55-43 Democrat 58-41
Summer high 91ºF 86ºF
Winter low 33ºF 17ºF
Annual rain 48" 40"
Annual snow 1" 22"
Crime index 31.09 18.79
  • The population of South Carolina is approximately 59% lower than the population of Illinois.
  • In the last presidential election, South Carolina voted Republican and Illinois voted Democrat.
  • The average high in the summertime in South Carolina is 91ºF and in Illinois, it’s 86ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, South Carolina reaches the temperature of 33ºF and Illinois gets down to 17ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-eight inches of annual rainfall in South Carolina versus forty inches of rainfall in Illinois.
  • In South Carolina, it snows about one inches annually versus twenty-two inches of snow in Illinois.
  • South Carolina has a higher crime rate than Illinois with a crime index of 31.09 vs 18.79.

Comparing the pros of Illinois vs. South Carolina

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Illinois versus South Carolina side by side.

Pros of living in Illinois Pros of living in South Carolina
Home of Chicago Warm southern hospitality
Ample economic opportunity Plentiful outdoor activities
Bountiful recreational opportunities Beautiful landscapes
Delicious food Consistently gorgeous weather
World-class sports culture Rich historical significance

Comparing the cons of living in Illinois vs. South Carolina

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving Illinois for South Carolina.

Cons of living in Illinois Cons of living in South Carolina
Harsh winter weather High cost of living
Bad traffic Hurricane frequency
High crime rate Low quality of healthcare
Dull landscape High taxes
Strict laws Abundance of construction

What to know before your move to South Carolina

  • Weather: South Carolina had hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters and coastal areas of the state have very mild winters. While precipitation is abundant the entire year in almost the entire state, the coast tends to have a slightly wetter summer, while inland, the spring and autumn transitions tend to be the wettest periods and winter the driest season, with November being the driest month.
  • 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: To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a South Carolina moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: South Carolina 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 South Carolina. 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. When moving in South Carolina, explore movers' insurance options. Many offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or consider third-party insurance providers. Prioritize understanding coverage limits and potential extra costs. Read reviews to make an informed decision on the best insurance for your South Carolina move.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in South Carolina

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

  • Charleston's Historic District
  • Myrtle Beach
  • Hilton Head Island
  • Brookgreen Gardens
  • Middleton Place
  • Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
  • Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
  • Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
  • Huntington Beach State Park
  • Fort Sumter National Monument
  • South Carolina State Museum
  • Caesars Head State Park
  • Congaree National Park
  • DuPont Planetarium
  • Alligator Adventure
  • UFO Welcome Center
  • The Battery
  • Falls Park on the Reedy
  • Charleston Tea Plantation
  • The Peace Center

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from Illinois to South Carolina?

The cheapest way to move from Illinois to South Carolina is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from Illinois to South Carolina?

The main reasons people are moving from Illinois to South Carolina are the amazing upsides of living in South Carolina such as warm southern hospitality and plentiful outdoor activities.

Is it cheaper to live in Illinois or South Carolina?

It is generally cheaper to live in Illinois than in South Carolina. Housing is more affordable in Illinois, with average rent about 13% less and home prices 13% lower than in South Carolina. Taxes are also lower in Illinois, most notably income taxes, which are more than 20% less than those paid by South Carolina residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in South Carolina?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in South Carolina you live For example, larger cities like Aiken and Anderson will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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