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Moving from South Dakota to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

SD state flag
Living now

South Dakota

Capital: Pierre

Median household income $71,810 · winter low 6°F · 218 sunny days

No income tax, Mount Rushmore, banking & ranching.

SC state flag
Moving to

South Carolina

Capital: Columbia

Median household income $63,623 · winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days

Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

South Carolina has an overall price level 93.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
South Dakota
88.6
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 5.8% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Dakota
67.6
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 19% higher housing costs
Groceries index
South Dakota
95.5
South Carolina
96.3
South Carolina has 0.9% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Dakota
98.3
South Carolina
99.1
South Carolina has 0.8% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Dakota
14.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
17.1 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 17% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Dakota
97.7
South Carolina
98.7
South Carolina has 1.1% higher transportation
Median home value
South Dakota
$289,600
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 3.4% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Dakota
$999/mo
South Carolina
$1,272/mo
South Carolina is 27% more expensive to rent

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

Summer high 91°F · Winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
South Dakota
86°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 5.8% more summer highs
Avg winter low
South Dakota
6°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 450% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Dakota
46°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 37% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Dakota
218
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 0.9% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Dakota
21 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 126% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Dakota
27
South Carolina
37
South Carolina has 37% higher AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
South Dakota
41
South Carolina
2
South Carolina has 95% lower felt earthquakes
Snow / year
1 in

Get the full South DakotaSouth Carolina 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 South Carolina than South Dakota?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 88.7 for South Dakota, 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 Dakota tops out at 0% income tax. South Carolina tops out at 5.21%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in South Carolina?

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

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