Maine
High tax burden · COL index 107
Wins 6 categories
South Carolina
Moderate tax burden · COL index 93
Wins 7 categories
Cost of living in Maine (index 107) runs 15% higher than South Carolina (index 93). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Maine averages 1.04% annually vs South Carolina's 0.43%. Politically, South Carolina voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Maine went Democratic (D+6.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
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Utilities & Daily Costs
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Category wins
6
Maine
7
South Carolina
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For some, the decision to move isn't about disliking Charleston—it's about needing a city where their budget stretches further. This is often the story for younger families who want more space, retirees who want predictability, and locals who don't want to “house-poor” themselves just to stay in a familiar ZIP code.
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