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Moving from Maryland to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

MD state flag
Living now

Maryland

Capital: Annapolis

Median household income $98,461 · winter low 25°F · 198 sunny days

DC commuter belt, top public schools, Chesapeake Bay.

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
Maryland
105.0
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 11% lower overall price level
Housing index
Maryland
121.1
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 34% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Maryland
101.2
South Carolina
98.4
South Carolina has 2.8% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Maryland
100.7
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 1.7% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Maryland
35.9 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 54% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Maryland
101.0
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 2.2% lower transportation
Median home value
Maryland
$436,300
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 31% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Maryland
$1,470/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 18% 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
Maryland
87°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 4.6% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Maryland
25°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 32% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Maryland
55°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 13% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Maryland
198
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 9.1% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Maryland
44 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 10.0% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Maryland
43
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 9.3% lower AQI
Snow / year
Maryland
28 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 96% less annual snowfall

Get the full MarylandSouth 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 Maryland?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 105.1 for Maryland — 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?

Maryland tops out at 6.5% 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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