South Carolina
R+13 · Moderate tax burden · COL index 93
6.2%
Income Tax
540
Violent Crime / 100K
75.5
Life Expectancy
$310K
Median Home
$950
Childcare / Mo
State Profile
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Taxes
Income Tax
Top rate reducing to 6% by 2024
Property Tax
~$1,333/yr on median home
Sales Tax
Social Security
Pension / IRA
Estate Tax
Inheritance Tax
Capital Gains
44% deduction on long-term capital gains
Housing & Cost of Living
Cost of Living Index
National avg = 100
Median Home Price
Median Rent (2BR)
Home Insurance
Flood Insurance
Homestead Exemption
Home equity protected from creditors
Asset Protection
Crime & Safety
Violent Crime Rate
Near national avg
Property Crime Rate
Near national avg
Traffic Fatality Rate
Among the most dangerous
Healthcare
State Healthcare Rank
Life Expectancy
Medicaid Expansion
Uninsured Rate
Above national avg (~9%)
Education
K-12 Quality Rank
Bottom 10 nationally
School Choice / Vouchers
Childcare
Avg Infant Care (Full-Time)
Utilities & Daily Costs
Avg Monthly Energy Bill
Avg Monthly Groceries
2-person household, moderate spending
Road Quality Rank
Airports & Travel
Nonstop Destinations
From state's primary airport
Major Hub Airport
Regional airport — connections via hub
Culture & Lifestyle
Urban Population
Mix of urban and rural
Restaurant Density
Religious Congregations
Pro Sports Teams
NFL + NBA + MLB + NHL + MLS
Major Venues
Stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters (10K+ capacity)
Craft Breweries
2.2/100K residents — Growing
Craft Distilleries
Live Music
Charleston food and live music; Cooper River Bridge Run concerts; Holy City Brewing
Transportation
Car Insurance (Avg Annual)
Traffic Fatality Rate
Broadband Access
Social & Legal
Abortion Access
6-week ban with exceptions
LGBTQ+ Protections
Marijuana
Minimum Wage
Right to Work
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Gambling
State Lottery
One of the most restrictive gambling states. No casinos. Offshore gambling boats historically operated from Myrtle Beach.
Age of Consent
Sex Education
Sex ed required by state
Nude Beaches & Naturist Clubs
Benchmark Resort · Sea Mountain Inn (Cherry Grove) · Carolina Sunbathing
Environment & Climate
Air Quality (Annual AQI)
Near national avg
Natural Disaster Risk
Primary Hazards
Politics & Gun Laws
2024 Presidential Vote
Gun Laws
Carry Permit
Purchase Permit Required
Gambling
Jobs & Economy
Job Market
+2% job growth · 3.2% unemployment
Top Industries
Tech Jobs
Healthcare Jobs
Remote Work
Median Household Income
Daily Life
Gas Price (Regular)
Well below avg (-0.32 vs national avg)
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks broadly legal
Weather & Natural Risks
Winter Severity
Avg January high: 57°F
Summer Heat
Hot summers
Annual Rainfall
Tornado Risk
Hurricane Risk
Wildfire Risk
Flood Risk
Veteran Benefits
Veteran-Friendly Score
6.5% of state population are veterans
Property Tax Exemption
Partial exemption for service-connected disability
Military Retirement Pay
Active Duty Pay
VA Facilities Access
Notable Benefits
Explore South Carolina counties
Income, housing, poverty, healthcare — ranked by county
See your full cost of living in South Carolina
Housing, taxes, childcare, insurance — all estimated.
Compare Similar States
SC vs WI
South Carolina vs Wisconsin
COL 93 vs 93 · 6.2% vs 7.65% income tax
Full comparison →
SC vs NC
South Carolina vs North Carolina
COL 93 vs 94 · 6.2% vs 4.5% income tax
Full comparison →
SC vs TN
South Carolina vs Tennessee
COL 93 vs 92 · 6.2% vs No income tax
Full comparison →
SC vs GA
South Carolina vs Georgia
COL 93 vs 91 · 6.2% vs 5.49% income tax
Full comparison →
Stay Current
Get notified when South Carolina tax laws, gun laws, or social policy changes.
South Carolina Guides
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South Carolina vs. North Carolina: The Carolinas Compared
South Carolina and North Carolina share a border but diverge sharply on taxes, cost of living, and r…
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Moving to South Carolina: The Retirement Hotspot
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Data is informational only. Verify with a tax professional, real estate agent, and local sources before making relocation decisions. Crime data: FBI UCR ~2022. Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund / US News ~2023. Education: Education Week ~2023. Housing: Zillow / Census ACS ~2024. Insurance: rate surveys ~2024. Sponsored links marked “Sponsored” may earn a commission. This does not affect our data or rankings.