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Moving from Kansas to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Plains, aviation industry, university towns. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

KS state flag
Living now

Kansas

Capital: Topeka

Median household income $69,747 · winter low 21°F · 217 sunny days

Plains, aviation industry, university towns.

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
Kansas
90.1
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 4.1% higher overall price level
Housing index
Kansas
71.2
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 13% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Kansas
97.5
South Carolina
98.4
South Carolina has 0.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Kansas
98.5
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 0.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Kansas
15.3 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 7.2% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Kansas
98.0
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 0.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Kansas
$238,700
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 25% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Kansas
$861/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 40% more expensive 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
Kansas
89°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 2.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Kansas
21°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 57% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Kansas
55°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 15% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Kansas
217
South Carolina
216
Annual precipitation
Kansas
32 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 54% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Kansas
38
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
Kansas
16 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 94% less annual snowfall

Get the full KansasSouth Carolina report

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

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in South Carolina than Kansas?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 90.1 for Kansas — 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?

Kansas tops out at 5.58% 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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