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Moving from South Carolina to Pennsylvania

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

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.

PA state flag
Moving to

Pennsylvania

Capital: Harrisburg

Median household income $73,170 · winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days

Philly + Pittsburgh + everything between, flat income tax.

Pennsylvania has an overall price level 97.6 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Pennsylvania
97.6
Pennsylvania has 4.1% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Pennsylvania
85.1
Pennsylvania has 5.7% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Pennsylvania
99.4
Pennsylvania has 1.0% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Pennsylvania
99.6
Pennsylvania has 0.6% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania
20.9 ¢/kWh
Pennsylvania has 27% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Pennsylvania
99.5
Pennsylvania has 0.8% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Pennsylvania
$277,600
Pennsylvania is 7.3% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Pennsylvania
$1,064/mo
Pennsylvania is 12% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 85°F · Winter low 22°F · 179 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Pennsylvania
85°F
Pennsylvania is 6.6% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Pennsylvania
22°F
Pennsylvania is 33% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Pennsylvania
50°F
Pennsylvania is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Pennsylvania
179
Pennsylvania has 17% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Pennsylvania
44 in
Pennsylvania is 10% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Pennsylvania
40
Pennsylvania has 2.6% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Pennsylvania
43 in
Pennsylvania is 4200% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaPennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania than South Carolina?

Pennsylvania's overall price level is roughly 96.8 (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. Pennsylvania tops out at 3.07%.

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

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

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