New Jersey vs South Carolina: taxes, cost of living, laws

New Jersey

High tax burden · COL index 121

Wins 7 categories

South Carolina

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 8 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.

New Jersey

South Carolina

Taxes

10.75%

Income Tax (top rate)

6.2%

2.13%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.43%/yr

6.6%

Sales Tax (avg)

7.43%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

4.7%

Housing & Cost of Living

121

COL Index (100=avg)

$500K

Median Home Price

$310K

$2,200/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,350/mo

$1K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

213

Violent Crime / 100K

540

1,368

Property Crime / 100K

2,730

Sex Offenders / 100K

342

134

Homeless / 100K

Healthcare

#19 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#38 of 50

79 yrs

Life Expectancy

75.5 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

13.1%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Education

#2 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#40 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,800/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$950/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$155/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$640/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$450/mo

#44 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#15 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+6.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

New Jersey

South Carolina

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

Score For My Profile →