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Moving from Wisconsin to South Carolina

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters. vs. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

WI state flag
Living now

Wisconsin

Capital: Madison

Median household income $72,458 · winter low 9°F · 188 sunny days

Cheese, beer, Madison + Milwaukee, brutal winters.

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
Wisconsin
94.1
South Carolina
93.7
Housing index
Wisconsin
79.3
South Carolina
80.5
South Carolina has 1.5% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.5
South Carolina
98.4
Utilities index (modeled)
Wisconsin
99.1
South Carolina
99.1
Electricity rate
Wisconsin
18.8 ¢/kWh
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
South Carolina has 13% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Wisconsin
98.8
South Carolina
98.7
Median home value
Wisconsin
$294,700
South Carolina
$299,500
South Carolina is 1.6% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Wisconsin
$982/mo
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
South Carolina is 23% 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
Wisconsin
81°F
South Carolina
91°F
South Carolina is 12% more summer highs
Avg winter low
Wisconsin
9°F
South Carolina
33°F
South Carolina is 267% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Wisconsin
44°F
South Carolina
63°F
South Carolina is 41% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Wisconsin
188
South Carolina
216
South Carolina has 15% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
Wisconsin
33 in
South Carolina
48 in
South Carolina is 45% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Wisconsin
40
South Carolina
39
South Carolina has 2.5% lower AQI
Snow / year
Wisconsin
50 in
South Carolina
1 in
South Carolina is 98% less annual snowfall

Get the full WisconsinSouth 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 Wisconsin?

South Carolina's overall price level is roughly 94.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 93.5 for Wisconsin — 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?

Wisconsin tops out at 7.65% 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.

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