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Moving from South Carolina to Oregon

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly 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.

OR state flag
Moving to

Oregon

Capital: Salem

Median household income $76,362 · winter low 36°F · 144 sunny days

Portland weirdness, no sales tax, drizzly winters.

Oregon has an overall price level 103.4 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Oregon
103.4
Oregon has 10% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Oregon
108.6
Oregon has 35% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Oregon
100.8
Oregon has 2.4% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Oregon
100.5
Oregon has 1.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Oregon
14.9 ¢/kWh
Oregon has 9.5% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Oregon
100.7
Oregon has 1.9% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Oregon
$497,500
Oregon is 66% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Oregon
$1,377/mo
Oregon is 14% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 80°F · Winter low 36°F · 144 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Oregon
80°F
Oregon is 12% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Oregon
36°F
Oregon is 9.1% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Oregon
50°F
Oregon is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Oregon
144
Oregon has 33% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Oregon
37 in
Oregon is 25% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Oregon
28
Oregon has 28% lower AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Oregon
22 in
Oregon is 2100% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaOregon 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 Oregon than South Carolina?

Oregon's overall price level is roughly 100.5 (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. Oregon tops out at 9.9%.

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

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

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