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Moving from South Carolina to Massachusetts

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Highest education attainment in US, biotech, Boston winters.

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.

MA state flag
Moving to

Massachusetts

Capital: Boston

Median household income $96,505 · winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days

Highest education attainment in US, biotech, Boston winters.

Massachusetts has an overall price level 105.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Massachusetts
105.8
Massachusetts has 13% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Massachusetts
128.1
Massachusetts has 59% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Massachusetts
101.4
Massachusetts has 3.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Massachusetts
100.9
Massachusetts has 1.8% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Massachusetts
30.2 ¢/kWh
Massachusetts has 84% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Massachusetts
101.2
Massachusetts has 2.4% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Massachusetts
$607,400
Massachusetts is 103% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Massachusetts
$1,479/mo
Massachusetts is 23% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Massachusetts
82°F
Massachusetts is 9.9% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Massachusetts
22°F
Massachusetts is 33% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Massachusetts
48°F
Massachusetts is 23% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Massachusetts
200
Massachusetts has 7.4% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Massachusetts
49 in
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Massachusetts
29
Massachusetts has 26% lower AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Massachusetts
50 in
Massachusetts is 4900% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaMassachusetts 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 Massachusetts than South Carolina?

Massachusetts's overall price level is roughly 109.7 (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. Massachusetts tops out at 9%.

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

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

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