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Moving from South Carolina to New Jersey

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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.

NJ state flag
Moving to

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

New Jersey has an overall price level 108.8 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
New Jersey
108.8
New Jersey has 16% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
New Jersey
134.3
New Jersey has 67% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
New Jersey
102.2
New Jersey has 3.8% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
New Jersey
101.3
New Jersey has 2.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
New Jersey has 43% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
New Jersey
101.8
New Jersey has 3.0% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
New Jersey
$496,000
New Jersey is 66% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
New Jersey is 29% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 86°F · Winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
New Jersey
86°F
New Jersey is 5.5% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
New Jersey
24°F
New Jersey is 27% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
New Jersey
53°F
New Jersey is 16% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
New Jersey
207
New Jersey has 4.2% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
New Jersey
48 in
New Jersey is 1.9% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
New Jersey
44
New Jersey has 13% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
New Jersey
24 in
New Jersey is 2300% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaNew Jersey 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 New Jersey than South Carolina?

New Jersey's overall price level is roughly 110.5 (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. New Jersey tops out at 10.75%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in New Jersey?

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

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