Compare states / South Carolina
SC
Compare South Carolina with other states
South Carolina is a mid-sized Southern state: about 5.7 million residents, the 23rd-largest population, at 188 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 6.0%; its effective property-tax rate of 0.49% is the 5th-lowest among the 50 states. The median home value, $307,843, ranks 32nd-highest of 50. Newcomers get 90 days to switch to a South Carolina driver license, one of the longest windows.
Data: South Carolina (dor.sc.gov, scdmvonline.com); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 6.0% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 7.49% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.49% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Property tax on vehicles, about 2.33% effective |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | No state minimum wage. Federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers. |
| Median home value | $307,843 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $15.00 |
| Registration (base) | $40.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 41 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 5,650,232 |
| Population density | 188.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 62.9% White (non-Hispanic) 6.4% Hispanic 25.2% Black 1.8% Asian |
| Violent crime | 436.7 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in South Carolina
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 6.0%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in South Carolina
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in South Carolina
- Get an SC driver license within 90 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in South Carolina.
- Title and register the car within 45 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. South Carolina elections site.
- Nurse license: South Carolina is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in South Carolina: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How South Carolina compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 6.0% in South Carolina vs 13.3% in California (lower in South Carolina).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include South Carolina are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. South Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits (SC tax agency).
- Estate tax. South Carolina has no state estate tax (SC tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. South Carolina has no state inheritance tax (SC tax agency).
- Minimum wage. South Carolina $7.25 (federal).
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. South Carolina 6.00%.
- State parks. South Carolina 41. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; SC 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (SC).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. South Carolina 90 days.
- Days to title a car. South Carolina 45 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled