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Moving from South Carolina to Hawaii

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

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.

HI state flag
Moving to

Hawaii

Capital: Honolulu

Median household income $94,814 · winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days

Pacific paradise, eye-watering housing, isolated.

Hawaii has an overall price level 110.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Hawaii
110.0
Hawaii has 17% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Hawaii
125.3
Hawaii has 56% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Hawaii
102.5
Hawaii has 4.1% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Hawaii
101.5
Hawaii has 2.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Hawaii
42.2 ¢/kWh
Hawaii has 157% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Hawaii
102.0
Hawaii has 3.3% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Hawaii
$875,900
Hawaii is 192% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Hawaii
$1,579/mo
Hawaii is 31% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 65°F · 271 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Hawaii
87°F
Hawaii is 4.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Hawaii
65°F
Hawaii is 97% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Hawaii
72°F
Hawaii is 15% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Hawaii
271
Hawaii has 25% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Hawaii
57 in
Hawaii is 17% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Hawaii
17
Hawaii has 56% lower AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Hawaii
0 in
Hawaii is 100% less annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaHawaii 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 Hawaii than South Carolina?

Hawaii's overall price level is roughly 113.2 (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. Hawaii tops out at 11%.

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

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

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