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Moving from South Carolina to Texas

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. No income tax, mega-economies, hot summers, big swings.

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.

TX state flag
Moving to

Texas

Capital: Austin

Median household income $75,780 · winter low 38°F · 232 sunny days

No income tax, mega-economies, hot summers, big swings.

Texas has an overall price level 97.1 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Carolina
93.7
Texas
97.1
Texas has 3.5% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Texas
96.5
Texas has 20% higher housing costs
Groceries index
South Carolina
96.3
Texas
98.1
Texas has 1.8% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Texas
99.6
Texas has 0.5% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
17.1 ¢/kWh
Texas
17 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Texas
99.4
Texas has 0.7% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Texas
$313,200
Texas is 4.6% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,272/mo
Texas
$1,475/mo
Texas is 16% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 96°F · Winter low 38°F · 232 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Carolina
91°F
Texas
96°F
Texas is 5.5% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Texas
38°F
Texas is 15% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Texas
65°F
Texas is 4.5% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Texas
232
Texas has 7.4% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Texas
33 in
Texas is 32% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
37
Texas
61
Texas has 65% higher AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
South Carolina
2
Texas
61
Texas has 2950% higher felt earthquakes
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Texas
2 in
Texas is 100% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaTexas report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, and a 90-day move timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Texas than South Carolina?

Texas's overall price level is roughly 96.3 (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 5.21% income tax. Texas tops out at 0%.

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

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

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