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Moving from South Carolina to Kentucky

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

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.

KY state flag
Moving to

Kentucky

Capital: Frankfort

Median household income $60,183 · winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days

Bourbon, horses, Appalachian + Bluegrass mix.

Kentucky has an overall price level 90.2 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Kentucky
90.2
Kentucky has 3.8% lower overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Kentucky
64.3
Kentucky has 20% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Kentucky
97.5
Kentucky has 0.9% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Kentucky
98.5
Kentucky has 0.5% lower utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Kentucky
14.9 ¢/kWh
Kentucky has 9.5% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Kentucky
98.0
Kentucky has 0.7% lower transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Kentucky
$226,000
Kentucky is 25% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Kentucky
$852/mo
Kentucky is 29% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 26°F · 189 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Kentucky
87°F
Kentucky is 4.4% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Kentucky
26°F
Kentucky is 21% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Kentucky
56°F
Kentucky is 10% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Kentucky
189
Kentucky has 13% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Kentucky
48 in
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Kentucky
48
Kentucky has 23% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Kentucky
9 in
Kentucky is 800% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaKentucky 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 Kentucky than South Carolina?

Kentucky's overall price level is roughly 87.5 (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. Kentucky tops out at 3.5%.

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

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

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