South Carolina
Among the top 20% of US states for weather.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade B, better than 57% 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 monthly owner costs. It rates lower on summer humidity and walkability.
Official websitesc.gov (opens in new tab)
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$1kbetter than 82% 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
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.
- What is the median home value in South Carolina?
- The median home value in South Carolina is $225k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in South Carolina?
- Median household income in South Carolina is $64k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in South Carolina?
- Median gross rent in South Carolina is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- 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.
Best places to live in South Carolina
Top cities in South Carolina
Counties in South Carolina
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)