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Moving from South Carolina to Tennessee

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

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.

TN state flag
Moving to

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

Median household income $67,631 · winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

Tennessee has an overall price level 91.9 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Tennessee
91.9
Tennessee has 2.0% lower overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Tennessee
79.1
Tennessee has 1.8% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Tennessee
98.0
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Tennessee
98.8
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
Tennessee has 8.3% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Tennessee
98.4
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Tennessee
$332,600
Tennessee is 11% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
Tennessee is 1.9% cheaper to rent

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

Summer high 89°F · Winter low 30°F · 207 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Tennessee
89°F
Tennessee is 2.2% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Tennessee
30°F
Tennessee is 9.1% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Tennessee
58°F
Tennessee is 7.5% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Tennessee
207
Tennessee has 4.2% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Tennessee
54 in
Tennessee is 11% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Tennessee
50
Tennessee has 28% higher AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Tennessee
5 in
Tennessee is 400% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaTennessee 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 Tennessee than South Carolina?

Tennessee's overall price level is roughly 91.9 (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. Tennessee tops out at 0%.

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

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

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