Living in South Carolina

#10 in population growth

Should you move to South Carolina?

South Carolina, the Palmetto State, is a place of coastal beauty, historic charm, and vibrant Southern culture. Known for its warm climate, renowned cuisine, and booming manufacturing industry, South Carolina offers a relaxed yet exciting lifestyle.

South Carolina’s economy is diverse, with strong sectors in manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. Its cities, such as Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia, offer rich history, thriving arts scenes, and growing economies.

Living in South Carolina offers a variety of experiences. From exploring the historic city of Charleston to enjoying the beach lifestyle of Myrtle Beach or hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, South Carolina is rich in natural beauty and culture. When it comes to education, South Carolina is home to many top-rated schools and universities, including Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

If you’re looking for a state that offers a mix of history, natural beauty, and a growing economy, South Carolina could be your next home. Just be prepared for hot summers and a slower-paced way of life!

#23 in population

Population

5,282,634

National Avg 6,652,315

#32 in population

Population Per Square Mile

170

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does South Carolina Score?

A
Home Affordability
B
Cost of Living
B
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in South Carolina

Climate

How Does South Carolina Compare?

#17
in Sunny Days
#11
in Annual Rainfall
#39
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#37

How Does South Carolina Compare?

#37
in Healthcare
#19
in Available Beds
#34
in Doctors Per Resident

1

Children's Hospitals

1

VA Medical Centers

13

VA Clinics

South Carolina Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#20

How Does South Carolina Compare?

#20
in Cost of Living
#31
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#32
in Living Wage

South Carolina State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to South Carolina? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in South Carolina

#43

South Carolina School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #39 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

56%

Proficient or Above

22%

Ranked #43 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

63%

Proficient or Above

27%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
88.8%
Bachelors Degree
29.8%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know South Carolina

State Capital

Columbia

Area Codes

803, 839, 843, 864

Time Zone

Eastern Time Zone

Number of Counties

46

Land Area (square miles)

30,064

Motto

Dum spiro spero Animis opibusque parati (While I breathe, I hope Ready in soul and resource)

State Bird

Great Carolina wren

Housing

#15
#15 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$223,400

National $440,300

#24 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$970

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$390

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

1,976,447

Persons Per Household

2.51

Rent vs Own

Own 70.3%
Rent 29.7%

Economy

#42 in household income

Median Household Income

58,234

National $70,784

#42 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
59.6%
Poverty Rate
14.6%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$29,454,871

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$13,384,956

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$7,567,557

Per Capita Retail Sales

13,921

Counties

Diversity

#22
White alone
68.9%
Black or African American alone
26.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
0.6%
Asian alone
2%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.1%
Two or More Races
2.2%
Hispanic or Latino
6.6%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
63.5%

Foreign Born Persons

5.2%

Veterans

350822

Persons Under 5 years
5.4%
Persons Under 18 years
21.2%
Persons 65 years and over
19.1%

Is Diversity essential?

Find culture and diversity in the Most Diverse Places in the US.

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