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

Hawaii

Moderate tax burden · COL index 196

Wins 8 categories

South Carolina

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 7 categories

Hawaii's top income tax rate is 11% vs South Carolina's 6.2%. Cost of living in Hawaii (index 196) runs 111% higher than South Carolina (index 93). The median home in Hawaii costs $840K vs $310K in South Carolina. Politically, South Carolina voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Hawaii went Democratic (D+26.0).

Hawaii

South Carolina

Taxes

11%

Income Tax (top rate)

6.2%

0.27%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.43%/yr

4.44%

Sales Tax (avg)

7.43%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

7.25%

Capital Gains Tax

4.7%

Housing & Cost of Living

196

COL Index (100=avg)

$840K

Median Home Price

$310K

$2,500/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,350/mo

$500/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

281

Violent Crime / 100K

540

2,480

Property Crime / 100K

2,730

209

Sex Offenders / 100K

342

805

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#11 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#38 of 50

80.7 yrs

Life Expectancy

75.5 yrs

4.8%

Uninsured Rate

13.1%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#25 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#40 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,850/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$250/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$900/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$450/mo

#45 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#15 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+26.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Hawaii

South Carolina

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