South Carolina
Among the top 20% of US states for weather.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 49% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 80% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 22% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade D, better than 15% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 25% of US states
- top 10% for property tax rate
- top 16% for annual snowfall
- bottom 12% for walkability
South Carolina is a U.S. state with about 5,143,000 residents. It grades B+ for weather and D for getting around. Standout strengths include property tax rate, annual snowfall, and comfortable days. It rates lower on summer humidity and walkability.
Official websitesc.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in South Carolina is $225k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in South Carolina is $64k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in South Carolina is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- South Carolina has a violent crime rate of 1798/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in South Carolina is 26 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$64k18th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$52kbetter than 50% of US states
Home Value$225k33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 53% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$71kbetter than 63% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.53%better than 90% of US states
Income Tax6.38%better than 30% of US states
Sales Tax7.50%better than 34% of US states
Estimated total tax burden10.63%better than 46% of US states
Unemployment5.2%better than 45% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)46°F84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)81°F84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation50.2 in82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall0.9 inbetter than 84% of US states
Sunny Days242 daysbetter than 69% of US states
Summer Humidity70°Fbetter than 12% of US states
Comfortable Days90 daysbetter than 74% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk87.1better than 31% of US states
Air Quality46 AQIbetter than 58% of US states
School Quality55.6better than 40% of US states
Violent Crime1798/100kbetter than 12% of US states
Property Crime2325/100kbetter than 20% of US states
Community
Population5,142,75057th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age40.171st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4759th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9512th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1263rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)63.0%39th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)25.6%88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)6.2%31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.7%25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.6%24th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time26 minbetter than 41% of US states
Walkability7.1/20better than 12% of US states
Airport Distance67 mibetter than 39% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.0%better than 14% of US states
Amenities Nearby4.06better than 55% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 39% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is South Carolina an affordable place to live?
- South Carolina is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $52k, better than 50% of comparable areas. Median rent is $1k.
- Is South Carolina safe?
- South Carolina is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1798/100k (better than 12%). Property crime is 2325/100k.
- What is the weather like in South Carolina?
- South Carolina averages 81°F in July and 46°F in January, with 50.2 in of annual precipitation and about 242 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in South Carolina?
- Public-school quality in South Carolina is about average, scoring better than 40% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in South Carolina?
- The average one-way commute in South Carolina is 26 min.