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South Carolina

Moderate tax burden · COL index 93

Wins 5 categories

VS

Virginia

Moderate tax burden · COL index 102

Wins 8 categories

Property taxes are meaningfully different: Virginia averages 0.74% annually vs South Carolina's 0.43%. The median home in Virginia costs $390K vs $310K in South Carolina. Politically, South Carolina voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Virginia went Democratic (D+3.0).

South Carolina
Virginia

Taxes

6.2%
Income Tax (top rate)
5.75%
0.43%/yr
Property Tax Rate
0.74%/yr
7.43%
Sales Tax (avg)
5.73%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
4.7%
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

93
COL Index (100=avg)
102
$310K
Median Home Price
$390K
$1,350/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,700/mo
$2K/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

540
Violent Crime / 100K
197
2,730
Property Crime / 100K
1,617

Healthcare

#38 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#16 of 50
75.5 yrs
Life Expectancy
77.9 yrs
13.1%
Uninsured Rate
8.1%
No
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#40 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#10 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$950/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,550/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$140/mo
$450/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$530/mo
#15 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#13 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
A-
R+13.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+3.0

Category wins

5

South Carolina

8

Virginia

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People Also Ask

Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or South Carolina?

What are the drawbacks of living in South Carolina?

Where is the dark corner in SC?

Since early in the nineteenth century, extreme northeastern Greenville County, especially the remote, rugged environs of Glassy and Hogback Mountains, has been known as the “Dark Corner.” Although opened to settlement following the Revolutionary War, the area remained sparsely populated well into the twentieth century.

Why are people moving out of Charleston, SC?

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.

Full South Carolina Profile →Full Virginia Profile →

Your Priorities

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked

Childcare Affordability

Don't care

Cost of living proxy for childcare affordability

Don't careMust be affordable