Connecticut vs South Carolina: taxes, cost of living, laws

Connecticut

High tax burden · COL index 114

Wins 7 categories

South Carolina

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 10 categories

Cost of living in Connecticut (index 114) runs 23% higher than South Carolina (index 93). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Connecticut averages 1.79% annually vs South Carolina's 0.43%. The median home in Connecticut costs $395K vs $310K in South Carolina. Politically, South Carolina voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Connecticut went Democratic (D+12.0).

Connecticut

South Carolina

Taxes

6.99%

Income Tax (top rate)

6.2%

1.79%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.43%/yr

6.35%

Sales Tax (avg)

7.43%

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

4.7%

Housing & Cost of Living

114

COL Index (100=avg)

$395K

Median Home Price

$310K

$1,800/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,350/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

203

Violent Crime / 100K

540

1,380

Property Crime / 100K

2,730

125

Sex Offenders / 100K

342

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#3 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#38 of 50

79.8 yrs

Life Expectancy

75.5 yrs

5.9%

Uninsured Rate

13.1%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#3 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#40 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,900/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$220/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$660/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$450/mo

#38 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#15 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+12.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Connecticut

South Carolina

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