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Moving from Hawaii to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

HI state flag
Living now

Hawaii

Capital: Honolulu

Median household income $94,814 · winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days

Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

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.

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

Overall price index
Hawaii
110.0
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 15% lower overall price level
Housing index
Hawaii
125.3
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 36% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Hawaii
102.5
South Carolina
98.4
South Carolina has 4.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Hawaii
101.5
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 2.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Hawaii
42.2 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 61% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Hawaii
102.0
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 3.2% lower transportation
Median home value
Hawaii
$875,900
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 66% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Hawaii
$1,579/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 24% cheaper to rent

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

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

Avg summer high
Hawaii
87°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 4.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Hawaii
65°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 49% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Hawaii
72°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 13% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Hawaii
271
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 20% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Hawaii
57 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 15% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Hawaii
17
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 129% higher AQI
Snow / year
Hawaii
0 in
South Carolina
1 in

Get the full HawaiiSouth Carolina report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina than Hawaii?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 113.2 for Hawaii — 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?

Hawaii tops out at 11% income tax. South Carolina tops out at 6%.

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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