Compare states / South Carolina / to West Virginia
SC → WV
Moving from South Carolina to West Virginia
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
South Carolina vs West Virginia using the same fields as the all-states table. Green and red mark the destination figure when it differs.
| South Carolina | West Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 6.0% | 4.82% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 7.49% | 6.59% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.57% | 0.57% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 2.33% effective | Yes — 1.66% effective |
| Median home value | $307,843 | $177,887 |
| Tax when you title a car | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| State parks | 47 | 39 |
| National parks | 1 | 1 |
| Population density | 188.0/sq mi | 73.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 436.7 | 248.8 |
| Demographics | 62.9% White (non-Hispanic) 6.4% Hispanic 25.2% Black 1.8% Asian | 90.9% White (non-Hispanic) 1.9% Hispanic 3.7% Black 0.9% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 90 | 30 |
| Days to title a car | 45 | 30 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from South Carolina to West Virginia?
South Carolina: Top listed rate 6.0%. West Virginia: Top listed rate 4.82%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,544 in South Carolina vs $4,946 in West Virginia. If you earned in both states this year, see SC tax agency and WV tax agency.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from South Carolina to West Virginia?
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 6.0% vs 4.82%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in West Virginia
New West Virginia residents typically have 30 days to title and register. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally. The title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,756.50 (tax $1,680.00 + title $15.00 + registration $51.50 + plate $10.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in West Virginia
Title fee + plate + base registration + 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in West Virginia
After you become a West Virginia resident, you typically have 30 days to get a West Virginia driver license. Bring your South Carolina license, Social Security number, and proof you live in West Virginia. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official West Virginia DMV. South Carolina plates are not a substitute for West Virginia registration once the title clock runs out.
Checklist for new West Virginia residents from South Carolina
- Get a WV driver license within 30 days. Bring your SC license, Social Security number, and proof you live in West Virginia (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official West Virginia DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 15 days before an election. West Virginia elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. SC tax agency · WV tax agency.
- Both South Carolina and West Virginia are in the nurse compact — a multistate license can follow you. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from South Carolina to West Virginia
- Top listed income-tax rate: 6.0% in South Carolina vs 4.82% in West Virginia (lower in West Virginia).
- New West Virginia residents typically have 30 days to get a driver license (90 days is the South Carolina window in this file).
- Title the car in West Virginia within 30 days. South Carolina plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- West Virginia title-tax rate used here is 6.00%. On a $28,000 vehicle, state charges in the sketch are $1,756.50 (county extras omitted).
- Median home value in the file: $307,843 in South Carolina vs $177,887 in West Virginia.
Common questions
How does sales tax in West Virginia compare to South Carolina?
Average combined sales tax (state + local) is 7.49% in South Carolina vs 6.59% in West Virginia. City and county add-ons vary; this is a statewide average.
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from South Carolina to West Virginia?
The top listed rate goes down: 6.0% in South Carolina vs 4.82% in West Virginia. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket sketch is $6,544 in South Carolina vs $4,946 in West Virginia. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
How many state and national parks are in South Carolina vs West Virginia?
South Carolina has 47 state parks and 1 national parks in this file. West Virginia has 39 state parks and 1 national parks. State-park counts follow each agency’s own list; national parks are NPS units titled National Park.
How does population density in West Virginia compare to South Carolina?
Population density is 188.0 people per square mile in South Carolina vs 73.0 in West Virginia.
How do South Carolina and West Virginia compare on demographics?
South Carolina: 62.9% White (non-Hispanic), 6.4% Hispanic, 25.2% Black, 1.8% Asian. West Virginia: 90.9% White (non-Hispanic), 1.9% Hispanic, 3.7% Black, 0.9% Asian. These are statewide estimates; cities and counties differ.
Related moves
Also see moving to West Virginia and the reverse route, West Virginia → South Carolina.
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