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

Florida

Low tax burden · COL index 103

Wins 5 categories

South Carolina

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 9 categories

Florida has no state income tax. South Carolina's top rate is 6.2%. Cost of living in Florida (index 103) runs 11% higher than South Carolina (index 93). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Florida averages 0.77% annually vs South Carolina's 0.43%. The median home in Florida costs $415K vs $310K in South Carolina.

Florida

South Carolina

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

6.2%

0.77%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.43%/yr

7.02%

Sales Tax (avg)

7.43%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

None

Capital Gains Tax

4.7%

Housing & Cost of Living

103

COL Index (100=avg)

$415K

Median Home Price

$310K

$1,900/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,350/mo

$4K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

387

Violent Crime / 100K

540

1,882

Property Crime / 100K

2,730

151

Sex Offenders / 100K

342

134

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#40 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#38 of 50

77.3 yrs

Life Expectancy

75.5 yrs

13.2%

Uninsured Rate

13.1%

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#19 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#40 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,000/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$155/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$510/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$450/mo

#26 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#15 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Florida

South Carolina

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