Living
South Carolina had 5,570,274 residents in July 2025, up 8.83% since 2020 against 3.1% for the nation (Census Bureau). In 2024 median household income was $72,350 and median home value $299,500.
- Population5.57MJuly 2025
- Growth Since 20208.83%Census estimate
- Median Income$72,350ACS 2024
- Price Level92.2US = 100, BEA 2024
South Carolina in Numbers
- Population, July 20255,570,274+8.83% since 2020 (US +3.1%) source
- Median household income$72,350US $81,604 source
- Median home value$299,500US $360,600 source
- Median gross rent$1,272US $1,487 source
- Unemployment, Sept 20264.0%US 4.2% (preliminary) source
- State sales tax6%counties may add up to 1% more source
- $Cost of LivingPrices against the nation, county incomes, home values and rents.→
- MoveMoving to South CarolinaLicense, car, vote and taxes: the first steps in order.→
- TownsWhere to LiveThe largest and fastest-growing places, from Census estimates.→
- 65+Retire to South CarolinaIncome tax rules, the homestead exemption and senior discounts.→
Want To See A Town First?
Town guides cover parking, areas, events and nearby places.
More on Living Here
- NewRelocating to South CarolinaRelocating to South Carolina→
- NewCost of Living in South Carolina by CityCost of living in South Carolina's largest cities→
- NewRent and Home Prices in South Carolina by CityMedian rent, home value, owner costs and rent as a share of income in South→
- NewBest Towns to Live in South Carolina by MetroTowns and suburbs around Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach,→
- NewSmall Towns to Live in South CarolinaSouth Carolina small towns of 2,500 to 20,000 people compared on Census→
- NewSafest Places to Live in South CarolinaReported 2024 violent and property crime for South Carolina city police→
- NewNew South Carolina Resident ChecklistMoving to South Carolina? The deadlines and steps from SCDMV, SCDOR, the→
FAQ
Does South Carolina tax Social Security?
No. The SC Department of Revenue says Social Security benefits taxed for federal purposes are not subject to South Carolina income tax. source
How long do I have to get a South Carolina driver's license after moving?
SCDMV says to apply within 45 days of moving permanently to the state. An eight-year license is $25, and you surrender your out-of-state license. source
How do I get the 4% property tax rate on my home?
Contact your county assessor's office to apply for the 4% legal residence rate on your primary home, before the first penalty date of the tax year in which you first claim it (SC Code 12-43-220). source
What do I pay before registering a car brought from another state?
Property tax to the county treasurer first (the county auditor generates the bill from the VIN and old registration). At SCDMV the published total for a regular passenger vehicle is $305: $250 Infrastructure Maintenance Fee, $15 title, $40 registration, plus the county property tax. source
How do prices in South Carolina compare with the rest of the country?
BEA's 2024 regional price parity for South Carolina is 92.244 on all items, where the U.S. is 100. The housing/rents index is 73.924. source
When is hurricane season and how do I find my evacuation zone?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (NOAA). SCEMD's Know Your Zone map lets coastal residents look up their zone by address. source
Is there a property tax break for older homeowners?
The Homestead Exemption exempts the first $50,000 of fair market value of a legal residence for owners over 65, disabled or legally blind; apply through the county auditor. source
What We Could Not Confirm
Not confirmed: we looked for these on official pages and did not find them. Check with the town or operator before you rely on them.
- SCDMV vehicle registration deadline for new residents: the SCDMV moving-to-SC vehicle page and registration page state no day count (an unofficial summary mentioned 45 days, not confirmed on a page). Late fee schedule (MV-13 PDF) not readable.
- Dollar amount of the temporary 2026 additional Homestead Exemption: DOR page does not state it.
- Hurricane season dates are not on the SCEMD Know Your Zone or Hurricane Guide pages read; taken from NOAA NHC.
- DOR property tax overview page does not describe vehicle property tax rates; no vehicle millage or assessment ratio stated.
- BEA RPP for metro areas and sub-state not collected.
- Mean travel time, 65+ share and homeownership are derived from ACS detailed tables, not read from Census-published profile tables (S0801, DP05, DP04).
- York County travel time uses B08006 because the B08301 file has no York County row.
- DOR ruling page for the 65+ and military deductions was a PDF that could not be read; amounts come from the DOR IIT FAQ page.
- Hardeeville, Greer and other fast-growing places: Census figures reflect boundary changes including annexations; not verified place by place.
Sources
- Census Bureau Vintage 2025 state totals
- Census Bureau Vintage 2025 city/town totals SC
- Census Bureau Vintage 2024 city/town totals SC
- Census Bureau ACS 2024 1-year table-based summary file
- BEA RPP page
- BEA SARPP table download
- BLS unemployment by state
- BLS public API
- BLS OEWS South Carolina
- SC DOR individual income
- SC DOR IIT FAQs
- SC DOR sales tax
- SC DOR accommodations
- SC DOR property tax exemptions
- SC Code Title 12 Ch 37
- SC Code Title 12 Ch 43
- SC Code Title 59 Ch 111
- SCDMV Moving to SC license
- SCDMV Moving to SC vehicle
- SC Election Commission voter registration
- SCDNR license requirements
- NOAA National Hurricane Center climatology
- SCEMD Know Your Zone
- SCEMD Hurricane Guide
- FEMA FloodSmart
- SC State Parks FAQs
Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “Living in South Carolina”, itssouthcarolina.com/living/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.