Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,430 in South Carolina. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 26% cheaper on rent than South Carolina, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $90,038 in South Carolina — about 8% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in South Carolina
Income Tax (top rate)
None
6.00%
+6.0 pp in South Carolina
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,430
+36% in South Carolina
Median Home Value
$375,900
$469,100
+25% in South Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$90,038
+8% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
66.7°F
+29.3°F in South Carolina
Alaska vs South Carolina — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or South Carolina?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 26% below South Carolina's $1,430, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in South Carolina?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Alaska versus $57,000 in South Carolina.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or South Carolina?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/South Carolina — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.