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Moving from New Jersey to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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
New Jersey
108.8
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 14% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 40% lower housing costs
Groceries index
New Jersey
107.1
South Carolina
96.3
South Carolina has 10% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 2.2% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
17.1 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 27% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 3.0% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 40% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,800/mo
South Carolina
$1,272/mo
South Carolina is 29% 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
New Jersey
86°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 5.8% more summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 38% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 19% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 4.3% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 1.9% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Jersey
50
South Carolina
37
South Carolina has 26% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
New Jersey
1
South Carolina
2
South Carolina has 100% higher felt earthquakes
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 96% less annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseySouth 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 New Jersey?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey, 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?

New Jersey 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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