Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from South Carolina to Arkansas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Walmart HQ, Ozarks, low cost of living.

SC state flag
Living now

South Carolina

Capital: Columbia

Median household income $63,623 · winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days

Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

AR state flag
Moving to

Arkansas

Capital: Little Rock

Median household income $56,335 · winter low 30°F · 217 sunny days

Walmart HQ, Ozarks, low cost of living.

Arkansas has an overall price level 86.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Arkansas
86.9
Arkansas has 7.3% lower overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Arkansas
58.2
Arkansas has 28% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Arkansas
96.7
Arkansas has 1.7% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Arkansas
98.0
Arkansas has 1.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Arkansas
13.6 ¢/kWh
Arkansas has 17% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Arkansas
97.4
Arkansas has 1.4% lower transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Arkansas
$215,600
Arkansas is 28% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Arkansas
$794/mo
Arkansas is 34% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (live) state-level

Summer high 92°F · Winter low 30°F · 217 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Arkansas
92°F
Arkansas is 1.1% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Arkansas
30°F
Arkansas is 9.1% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Arkansas
61°F
Arkansas is 3.2% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Arkansas
217
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Arkansas
51 in
Arkansas is 6.2% more annual precipitation
Air quality (est. AQI)
South Carolina
39
Arkansas
42
Arkansas has 7.7% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Arkansas
3 in
Arkansas is 200% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaArkansas 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 Arkansas than South Carolina?

Arkansas's overall price level is roughly 87.1 (US avg = 100), vs about 94.6 for South Carolina — 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?

South Carolina tops out at 6% income tax. Arkansas tops out at 3.9%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Arkansas?

Most Arkansas residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

Related comparisons