($1,091) Moving From South Carolina to Michigan

Quick answer: The average cost to move from South Carolina to Michigan ranges from $666 to $5,800 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
  • East coast focus
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  • Family owned & operated
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned

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 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 South Carolina to Michigan separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

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

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The best South Carolina to Michigan movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from South Carolina to Michigan 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 South Carolina to Michigan:

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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Most Experienced Mover
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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 South Carolina movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Ballantyne & Beyond Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
1228 Transformation Ln, Fort Mill, SC, 29707
(803) 547-1800
Two Men and a Truck Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.8 overall rating
2731 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC, 29611
(864) 474-6171

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

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

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

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,091 - $4,100 $817 - $1,890 $618 - $1,192
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,189 - $5,800 $1,424 - $2,880 $666 - $1,362
4+ bedrooms $3,674 - $7,668 $2,014 - $3,852 $837 - $1,688

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 927 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 SC to MI

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

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

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from South Carolina to Michigan will cost between $1,091 and $4,100. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from SC to MI will range from $2,189 to $5,800, and a large move from South Carolina to Michigan will cost from $3,674 to $7,668.

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

Moving containers from South Carolina to Michigan will cost you $817 to $1,890 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $1,424 to $2,880. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $2,014 to $3,852. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of South Carolina.

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

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 $618 to $1,192. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $666 to $1,362, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from South Carolina to Michigan costs from $837 to $1,688.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from South Carolina to Michigan a good idea?

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

Cost of living: South Carolina vs. Michigan

South Carolina Michigan
Average rent cost $1,065 $1,037
Average home cost $295,769 $245,716
Average income (per capita) $63,623 $68,505
Cost of Living Index 96 92
Unemployment rate 4.7% 4.7%
Average Sales Tax 7.46% 6.0%
State Income Tax 7.0% 4.25%
  • Rent is about 3% less expensive in Michigan than in South Carolina.
  • Home prices are about 17% lower in Michigan than in South Carolina.
  • The average income is about 8% higher in Michigan than in South Carolina.
  • Cost of living is 4% lower in Michigan than in South Carolina.
  • Michigan and South Carolina have about the same unemployment rate.
  • Sales taxes are 20% lower in Michigan than in South Carolina.
  • Income taxes are 39% lower in Michigan than in South Carolina.

How does life in Michigan differ from South Carolina?

Michigan South Carolina
Population 10,037,261 5,373,555
Political leaning Republican 49.7-48.3 Republican 58-42
Summer high 81ºF 91ºF
Winter low 14ºF 33ºF
Annual rain 34" 48"
Annual snow 64" 1"
Crime index 19.98 28.0
  • The population of Michigan is approximately 87% greater than the population of South Carolina.
  • In the last presidential election, Michigan voted Republican and South Carolina voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Michigan is 81ºF and in South Carolina, it’s 91ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Michigan reaches the temperature of 14ºF and South Carolina gets down to 33ºF.
  • You can expect about thirty-four inches of annual rainfall in Michigan versus forty-eight inches of rainfall in South Carolina.
  • In Michigan, it snows about sixty-four inches annually versus one inches of snow in South Carolina.
  • Michigan has a lower crime rate than South Carolina with a crime index of 28.0 vs 19.98.

Comparing the pros of South Carolina vs. Michigan

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

Pros of living in South Carolina Pros of living in Michigan
Warm southern hospitality Scenic beauty
Plentiful outdoor activities Good higher education
Beautiful landscapes Bountiful recreational opportunities
Consistently gorgeous weather Low cost of living
Rich historical significance Beautiful lakes

Comparing the cons of living in South Carolina vs. Michigan

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

Cons of living in South Carolina Cons of living in Michigan
High cost of living Cold snowy winters
Hurricane frequency Spotty economic opportunity
Low quality of healthcare Poor transportation infrastructure
High taxes Expensive education
Abundance of construction Thick accents

What to know before your move to Michigan

  • Weather: Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
  • 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: The agency regulating local and intrastate household goods movers in Michigan is the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). State regulation and oversight activities include commercial vehicle registration and safety compliance, review of published tariff rates, licensing, and consumer protection efforts. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State Regulator: You can verify a Michigan moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving Permits: Michigan 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 Michigan. 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 Alabama, Massachusetts, and Michigan, choose the economical option of Released Value Protection, provided by movers at no extra cost. However, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage of your items' full value, consult with your moving company for alternatives or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving Checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Michigan

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

  • Mackinac Island
  • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
  • Henry Ford Museum
  • Michigan State Capitol
  • University of Michigan
  • Isle Royale National Park
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
  • Colonial Michilimackinac
  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Windmill Island Gardens
  • Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
  • Detroit Zoo
  • Michigan History Center
  • Mackinac Bridge
  • Soo Locks Boat Tour
  • Belle Isle
  • Motown Historical Museum
  • Michigan’s Adventure
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
  • Kitch-iti-Kipi

FAQs

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

The cheapest way to move from South Carolina to Michigan 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 South Carolina to Michigan?

The main reasons people are moving from South Carolina to Michigan are the amazing upsides of living in Michigan such as scenic beauty and good higher education.

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or Michigan?

It is generally cheaper to live in Michigan than in South Carolina. Housing is more affordable in Michigan, with average rent about 3% less and home prices 16.9% lower than in South Carolina. Taxes are also lower in Michigan, most notably income taxes, which are more than 30% less than those paid by South Carolina residents.

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

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 Michigan you live For example, larger cities like Adrian and Allendale will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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