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

Kentucky

Moderate tax burden · COL index 85

Wins 12 categories

South Carolina

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 3 categories

South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.2% vs Kentucky's 4%. Property taxes are meaningfully different: Kentucky averages 0.78% annually vs South Carolina's 0.43%. The median home in South Carolina costs $310K vs $215K in Kentucky.

Kentucky

South Carolina

Taxes

Income Tax (top rate)

6.2%

0.78%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.43%/yr

Sales Tax (avg)

7.43%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

4.7%

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

$215K

Median Home Price

$310K

$1,050/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,350/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

228

Violent Crime / 100K

540

1,770

Property Crime / 100K

2,730

218

Sex Offenders / 100K

342

114

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#24 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#38 of 50

73.5 yrs

Life Expectancy

75.5 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

13.1%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#34 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#40 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$890/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$125/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$400/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$450/mo

#18 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#15 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+26.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Kentucky

South Carolina

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