New Jersey
Very High tax burden · COL index 121
Wins 6 categories
South Carolina
Moderate tax burden · COL index 93
Wins 7 categories
New Jersey's top income tax rate is 10.75% vs South Carolina's 6.2%. Cost of living in New Jersey (index 121) runs 30% higher than South Carolina (index 93). Property taxes are meaningfully different: New Jersey averages 2.13% annually vs South Carolina's 0.43%. The median home in New Jersey costs $500K vs $310K in South Carolina.
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
6
New Jersey
7
South Carolina
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Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina or New Jersey?
Overall cost of living in Columbia, SC is 21.2% lower than in Newark, NJ. The average listing price for a home in Columbia, SC is $345,221, which is 48.1% lower than Newark, NJ. The average cost of groceries in Columbia, SC is 5.1% lower than Newark, NJ.
Why are people moving out of New Jersey?
What are the drawbacks of living in South Carolina?
Is $100,000 USD a good salary in New Jersey?
Looking at the numbers this way, it's clear that $100,000 still puts someone in the middle class by definition. But in New Jersey, “middle class” doesn't necessarily mean a comfortable, worry-free life. It's more like walking a tightrope: you're technically fine, but any unexpected cost can make a real difference.