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Moving from District of Columbia to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

SC state flag
Moving to

South Carolina

Capital: Columbia

Median household income $63,623 · winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days

Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

South Carolina has an overall price level 93.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 15% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 48% lower housing costs
Groceries index
District of Columbia
106.5
South Carolina
96.3
South Carolina has 9.5% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 2.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25.4 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
17.1 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 33% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 3.2% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 59% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,931/mo
South Carolina
$1,272/mo
South Carolina is 34% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow · USGS (live) state-level

Summer high 91°F · Winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 3.4% more summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 18% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 9.1% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 9.6% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 8.5% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
53
South Carolina
37
South Carolina has 30% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
District of Columbia
0
South Carolina
2
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 91% less annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaSouth Carolina report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, and a 90-day move timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina than District of Columbia?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia, based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% income tax. South Carolina tops out at 5.21%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in South Carolina?

Most South Carolina residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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