South Carolina
Moderate tax burden · COL index 93
Wins 5 categories
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).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
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Utilities & Daily Costs
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Category wins
5
South Carolina
8
Virginia
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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.