South Carolina has quietly become one of the most compelling relocation destinations in the Southeast — and the data makes a strong case. Affordable housing, some of the lowest property taxes in the country, Atlantic coastline, mountain access, and a rapidly growing economy. This guide breaks down what out-of-state buyers actually need to know before making the move — backed by real data, not just lifestyle marketing.
South Carolina At a Glance
| Metric | Figure | Source |
| Median Household Income | $76,780 | U.S. Census Bureau via FRED, 2024 |
| Median Home Price | $387,200 | Redfin, January 2026 |
| State Income Tax | 0% – 6.0% graduated | Tax Foundation, 2025 |
| Effective Property Tax Rate | 0.47% | Tax Foundation, 2025 |
| Population Growth | Top 10 nationally | U.S. Census Bureau |
Cost of Living in South Carolina
South Carolina offers a genuinely compelling affordability picture — particularly for buyers coming from the Northeast, Florida, or the mid-Atlantic. Median home prices sit below the national average, property taxes are among the five lowest in the country, and the income tax structure is being actively phased down. Regional variation matters though: coastal markets like Charleston and Hilton Head trade at a significant premium over the state median, while inland cities like Greenville, Columbia, and Spartanburg remain highly accessible.
Housing Costs
South Carolina’s median home price as of January 2026 is $387,200, up 2.3% year over year (Redfin). Regional variation is pronounced: Charleston’s median sits significantly higher at around $622,000, while Greenville, Columbia, and Spartanburg offer much more accessible entry points well below the state median. Myrtle Beach occupies a middle ground, attracting retirees and remote workers with a coastal lifestyle at a lower price point than Charleston.
Property Taxes
South Carolina’s 0.47% effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing is fifth-lowest in the country according to the Tax Foundation. On a $387,000 home that’s roughly $1,819 per year — substantially less than the national average. Notably, South Carolina’s local option sales taxes are specifically structured to offset property tax burdens, which partly explains why property taxes remain so low despite local service demands.
State Income Tax
South Carolina uses a graduated income tax structure with a top marginal rate of 6.0% for 2025, applied to income above approximately $17,830. The bottom bracket is 0%, meaning lower and middle income earners pay significantly less than the top rate suggests. Critically, the top rate is being actively phased down by the legislature — a bill in progress aims to reduce it to a flat 3.99%. There is no estate or inheritance tax. Social Security income is not taxed, making South Carolina particularly attractive for retirees relocating from higher-tax states.
Income to Housing Ratio
South Carolina’s median household income is $76,780 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024). Against a median home price of $387,200, the income-to-housing ratio is reasonable by national standards — though Charleston and coastal markets compress this ratio considerably. SettleSavvy’s Income to Housing Ratio factor lets you compare affordability neighborhood by neighborhood across South Carolina before you commit to a specific area.
Safety in South Carolina: Understanding the Data
South Carolina’s crime landscape varies significantly by area. Urban cores, resort communities, suburban neighborhoods, and rural areas each present a different picture — and city-level or statewide statistics don’t give buyers the granular information they need when choosing between specific neighborhoods.
SettleSavvy measures three crime dimensions at the neighborhood level: Overall Crime Score, Violent Crime Score, and Property Crime Score — all on a 4.0 scale. In coastal and resort markets like Myrtle Beach, property crime tends to be elevated due to seasonal tourism traffic rather than permanent resident behavior. The most useful approach is comparing scores between the specific neighborhoods you’re evaluating rather than relying on any single number in isolation.
Schools in South Carolina: What the Data Shows
School quality is a top priority for out-of-state buyers with children, and South Carolina’s districts span a wide range of performance. Strong districts are concentrated in parts of the Charleston metro, Greenville County, and select suburban areas — while rural districts across the state face more significant challenges.
SettleSavvy includes a statewide school district rank for every neighborhood — where 1 is the best-performing district in the state. This lets you filter neighborhoods not just by price or safety but by the actual school district you’d be buying into. Rankings change over time, so always verify current data before making a final decision.
Jobs and Economy in South Carolina
South Carolina’s economy has diversified significantly over the past two decades. Key sectors include advanced manufacturing anchored by major automotive and aerospace employers in the Upstate region, a thriving tourism and hospitality sector along the coast, a growing technology presence in Charleston and Greenville, healthcare, and logistics. The state has also attracted a significant remote work population, particularly in Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry.
SettleSavvy’s workforce data lets you explore the white collar, blue collar, and service sector composition of any neighborhood — useful context for understanding the economic character of the community you’re buying into, not just the property itself.
Who Is Moving to South Carolina and Why
South Carolina has drawn strong in-migration for several consecutive years, with buyers coming primarily from the Northeast, Florida, and the mid-Atlantic. Common profiles include retirees and pre-retirees from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut attracted by low property taxes and the absence of estate taxes; remote workers from Florida seeking more space and lower costs outside of Miami and Tampa; families relocating from the DC and Virginia corridors; and outdoor and coastal lifestyle buyers seeking an affordable alternative to the Carolinas’ pricier markets.
Understanding the demographic composition of the specific neighborhood you’re buying into matters as much as the state-level picture. SettleSavvy’s general and family demographics let you explore married household percentages, owner-occupancy rates, recent move-in data, and more — all at the neighborhood level.
Explore South Carolina Neighborhoods By Data
Ready to stop guessing and start comparing? SettleSavvy’s interactive map lets you explore every neighborhood in South Carolina across 30+ data factors — including housing costs, school rankings, crime scores, income ratios, broadband coverage, and more.
Search any South Carolina city — Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Spartanburg, Rock Hill — and filter neighborhoods by the factors that matter most to your family.