Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,113 in South Carolina. Overall, South Carolina runs roughly 10% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $68,460 in South Carolina — about 1% higher in Florida. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% 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
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
None
6.00%
+6.0 pp in South Carolina
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,113
+10% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$453,300
+41% in South Carolina
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$68,460
+1% in Florida
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
64.9°F
+6.9°F in Florida
Florida vs South Carolina — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or South Carolina?
- South Carolina is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,113 runs about 10% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida 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 $49,000 a year in Florida versus $45,000 in South Carolina.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or South Carolina?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% 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 2/3 cities we track in Florida/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.