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Moving from Oregon to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

OR state flag
Living now

Oregon

Capital: Salem

Median household income $76,362 · winter low 36°F · 144 sunny days

Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly 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
Oregon
103.4
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 9.3% lower overall price level
Housing index
Oregon
108.6
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 26% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Oregon
100.8
South Carolina
98.4
South Carolina has 2.4% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Oregon
100.5
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 1.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 10% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Oregon
100.7
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 1.9% lower transportation
Median home value
Oregon
$497,500
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 40% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Oregon
$1,377/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 13% 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
Oregon
80°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 14% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Oregon
36°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 8.3% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Oregon
50°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 25% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Oregon
144
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 50% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Oregon
37 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 33% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Oregon
28
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 39% higher AQI
Snow / year
Oregon
22 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 95% less annual snowfall

Get the full OregonSouth 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 Oregon?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 100.5 for Oregon — 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?

Oregon tops out at 9.9% 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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