United States
Cost of living in South Carolina
Cost of living in South Carolina registers at 93.7, placing it 6 percent below the US average and 33rd out of 51 jurisdictions. The income tax uses a progressive schedule with a top rate of 6.0 percent for 2025, reduced from 6.2 percent, with the standard deduction conforming to the federal amount of $15,000. The state sales tax is 6 percent. South Carolina spans a wide affordability range internally: coastal areas including Charleston and Hilton Head carry prices that approach or exceed the national average, driven by tourism, retiree demand, and in-migration from the Northeast. Inland cities such as Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg remain well below the statewide average and represent some of the better value propositions in the Southeast. Compared to Wisconsin (94.1) just above it and Indiana (93.3) just below, South Carolina occupies the mid-affordable range with a tax structure weighted more toward income than sales.
Price level
93.7
US = 100
National rank
33rd
of 51, dearest first
Income tax
6%
top rate
Sales tax
6%
state base rate
What your salary is worth in South Carolina
Because prices here sit at 93.7 against the national 100, the same paycheck stretches differently than it would elsewhere. These figures hold buying power constant: the salary listed is what you would need in South Carolina to live as you would on the reference amount in another place.
| Same lifestyle as | $60,000 | $100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| US average | $56,220 | $93,700 |
| California (dearest) | $50,786 | $84,643 |
| Arkansas (cheapest) | $64,695 | $107,825 |
Compare South Carolina with anywhere in the US
To live the same in California you need
$82,700
to match $70,000 in South Carolina
Price level, US = 100
The equivalent salary keeps your purchasing power constant: it is your pay scaled by the ratio of the two price levels. Regional Price Parities measure what a fixed basket of goods and services costs locally. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.
South Carolina in context
Coastal real estate dominates the story of South Carolina's price variance. The Charleston metro has experienced sustained appreciation, with median sale prices now above $400,000 in many suburban zip codes, far outpacing the statewide cost-of-living index. The Greenville-Spartanburg corridor, anchored by manufacturing and a growing technology sector, offers substantially lower housing costs and has attracted significant corporate relocation. The 6 percent sales tax applies broadly, including to a range of services, and county additions raise the effective rate in most areas. South Carolina's progressive income tax, now topping at 6 percent, is higher than North Carolina's flat 4.25 percent, making the income tax comparison unfavorable for high earners considering both states. Retirees and remote workers who prioritize outdoor access and lower housing costs over coastal proximity often find the Upstate region delivers the best combination of price and lifestyle in the state.
The closest state above South Carolina on price is Wisconsin at 94.1. Just below sits Indiana at 93.3.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Carolina expensive to live in?
South Carolina sits at a price level of 93.7 where the US average is 100, so a typical basket of goods and services costs about 6% less than the national norm. That ranks it 33rd most expensive of 51 states. Housing is usually the largest single driver of the gap.
What salary do you need in South Carolina?
To match the buying power of $60,000 earned at the US average, you would need about $56,220 in South Carolina. The figure scales with the price level: a place dearer than average needs more, a cheaper one needs less. Your own number also depends on housing choice and household size.
How much tax does South Carolina charge?
South Carolina applies a top state income-tax rate of 6% and a base state sales tax of 6%. Brackets apply to all filing statuses (no separate single schedule). Top rate reduced to 6.0% for 2025 (from 6.2%) via a state budget proviso. SC ties its standard deduction to the federal amount ($15,000 single for 2025); taxpayers using the federal standard deduction use the same on the SC return. Local jurisdictions can add their own sales tax on top.
Cost of living in other states
Price levels are Regional Price Parities from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities (SARPP, MARPP), 2024 (public domain). State tax figures are the latest published rates from state revenue departments. All figures are estimates for general comparison and not financial advice; your own costs depend on housing, household size and lifestyle.