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Moving from Pennsylvania to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

PA state flag
Living now

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

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
Pennsylvania
97.6
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 3.9% lower overall price level
Housing index
Pennsylvania
85.1
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 5.4% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.4
South Carolina
98.4
South Carolina has 1.0% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.6
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 0.6% lower utilities
Electricity rate
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 21% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Pennsylvania
99.5
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 0.8% lower transportation
Median home value
Pennsylvania
$277,600
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 7.9% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 13% 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
Pennsylvania
85°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 7.1% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Pennsylvania
22°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 50% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Pennsylvania
50°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 26% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Pennsylvania
179
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 21% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Pennsylvania
44 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 11% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Pennsylvania
40
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 2.5% lower AQI
Snow / year
Pennsylvania
43 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 98% less annual snowfall

Get the full PennsylvaniaSouth 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 Pennsylvania?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 96.8 for Pennsylvania — 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?

Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07% 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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