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Moving from North Dakota to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

ND state flag
Living now

North Dakota

Capital: Bismarck

Median household income $73,959 · winter low 0°F · 211 sunny days

Energy boom, lowest unemployment, harshest winters.

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
North Dakota
89.0
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 5.4% higher overall price level
Housing index
North Dakota
71.4
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 13% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.2
South Carolina
98.4
South Carolina has 1.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
North Dakota
98.3
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 0.7% higher utilities
Electricity rate
North Dakota
12 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 38% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
North Dakota
97.8
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 1.0% higher transportation
Median home value
North Dakota
$266,100
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 13% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
North Dakota
$833/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 44% 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
North Dakota
84°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 8.3% more summer highs
Avg winter low
North Dakota
0°F
South Carolina
33°F
Avg annual temperature
North Dakota
41°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 51% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
North Dakota
211
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 2.4% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
North Dakota
18 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 164% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
North Dakota
42
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 7.1% lower AQI
Snow / year
North Dakota
39 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 97% less annual snowfall

Get the full North DakotaSouth 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 North Dakota?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 92.4 for North Dakota — 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?

North Dakota tops out at 2.5% 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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