Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from Tennessee to South Carolina

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

TN state flag
Living now

Tennessee

Capital: Nashville

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

Music capital, no income tax, Nashville housing surge.

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
Tennessee
91.9
South Carolina
93.7
South Carolina has 2.0% higher overall price level
Housing index
Tennessee
79.1
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 1.8% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.0
South Carolina
98.4
Utilities index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.8
South Carolina
99.1
Electricity rate
Tennessee
15.1 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 9.1% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Tennessee
98.4
South Carolina
98.7
Median home value
Tennessee
$332,600
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 10.0% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Tennessee
$1,180/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 1.9% more expensive to rent

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

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

Avg summer high
Tennessee
89°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 2.2% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Tennessee
30°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 10% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Tennessee
58°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 8.1% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Tennessee
207
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 4.3% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Tennessee
54 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 9.7% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Tennessee
50
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 22% lower AQI
Snow / year
Tennessee
5 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 80% less annual snowfall

Get the full TennesseeSouth Carolina 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 South Carolina than Tennessee?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 91.9 for Tennessee — 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?

Tennessee tops out at 0% income tax. South Carolina tops out at 6%.

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.

Related comparisons