South Carolina Cost of Living Calculator 2026

Compare cost of living in South Carolina to other US states and cities. See equivalent salary needed when relocating.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology

Current Annual Salary

Current City

Target City

Equivalent Salary Needed

$94,594.59

Difference

-$5,405.41

Cost Difference

-5.41%

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin, TX Index	111
Charleston, SC Index	105
National Average	100
Your Current Salary	$100,000.00
Equivalent in Charleston, SC	$94,594.59
You would need less	$5,405.41

Breakdown by Category (Annual)

Housing	-1.67%
Current (Austin, TX)	$40,000.00
Target (Charleston, SC)	$39,333.33
Food & Groceries	+3.00%
Current (Austin, TX)	$15,000.00
Target (Charleston, SC)	$15,450.00
Transportation	-7.00%
Current (Austin, TX)	$15,000.00
Target (Charleston, SC)	$13,950.00
Healthcare	-10.48%
Current (Austin, TX)	$10,000.00
Target (Charleston, SC)	$8,952.38

Cost of living indices are approximate and based on aggregate data. Individual expenses may vary significantly. Housing costs tend to have the largest impact when moving between cities.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

South Carolina Cost of Living Overview

Understanding the cost of living in South Carolina means looking at taxes, housing, and everyday expenses together. South Carolina levies a progressive income tax, which directly impacts take-home pay. The average property tax rate is 0.44%, and the state sales tax rate is 6.00%.

South Carolina tends to land below the national average on overall cost of living, and its tax mix is a big part of why. Property taxes are light, averaging about 0.44% versus roughly 0.9% nationally, and the 4% assessment ratio on primary homes keeps owner-occupied bills especially low. The state income tax is graduated and tops out at 5.21%, but a $15,000 deduction for single filers with income up to $40,000 (phased out by $95,000) and generous retirement-income exclusions soften the hit, particularly for retirees. The 6% sales tax, which local options can push toward 8% or 9%, is where more of the everyday cost shows up.

Housing is the swing factor when you compare cities. Coastal markets like Charleston and Hilton Head run well above inland metros like Columbia, Spartanburg, or Florence, so a salary that feels generous in one can feel tight in another. To compare two offers, line up the full picture: rent or mortgage plus property tax at the local millage, the combined sales tax in that county, and the same state income tax that applies statewide. Because South Carolina has no local income tax and no SDI or paid-leave deduction, the paycheck side stays consistent across cities, leaving housing and local sales tax to drive most of the difference.

South Carolina Cost Snapshot (2026)

Avg. Property Tax Rate	0.44%
State Sales Tax Rate	6.00%
Minimum Wage	$7.25/hr
State Income Tax	Progressive (up to 5.21%)
State Disability Insurance (SDI)	No
Estate / Inheritance Tax	No
Local/City Taxes	Local option sales taxes up to 3%

City indexes (U.S. average = 100) are planning estimates on one scale. The 29 cities added in August 2026 were reconciled from BestPlaces city pages, the Payscale and RentCafe cost-of-living calculators (both built on the C2ER Cost of Living Index) and the MERIC state index for Q1 2026; the original 30 large metros date from April 2026 and have not been re-checked since. Local rents and home prices can differ a lot within a metro, and the equivalent salary does not account for income taxes.

Official Sources:

South Carolina Cost of Living FAQ

Is South Carolina an affordable state to live in?

Generally yes, with overall costs running below the national average in most areas. Low property taxes near 0.44% and modest housing prices inland are the main drivers, while the 6% sales tax plus local add-ons is the part that runs closer to typical. Coastal markets like Charleston are the exception, where housing pushes the cost of living up sharply.

How do South Carolina taxes affect my household budget?

The three big levers are a graduated income tax topping out at 5.21%, a 6% sales tax that can reach roughly 9% with local options, and property tax averaging about 0.44%. Income and property taxes stay relatively light, especially for retirees with income exclusions, so day-to-day sales tax on goods is often the most visible cost. There's no local income tax or payroll SDI deduction to add on top.

How should I compare salaries between South Carolina cities?

Hold the income tax constant, since it's the same statewide, and focus on housing and local sales tax, which differ most. Add the local property millage and the county's combined sales tax to your rent or mortgage estimate for each city. A Charleston offer usually needs to be larger than a Columbia or Spartanburg one to deliver the same real spending power.

Does South Carolina's low property tax offset its sales tax?

For many households, yes. Homeowners benefit directly from the 4% assessment ratio and sub-1% effective property rate, which keeps a large fixed cost low. The trade-off is the 6% sales tax that local options can lift toward 9%, so heavy spenders feel more of their tax burden at the register than on their property bill, while homeowners come out ahead overall.