Quick answer
Texas has lower average 1BR rent ($1,368/mo vs $1,750/mo). State income tax: Texas (None) vs South Carolina (6.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $7,680/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
South Carolina vs Texas
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
South Carolina vs Texas at a Glance
| Metric | South Carolina | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,750 | $1,368 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $510K | $372K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Charleston ($1,750) | San Antonio ($1,180) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Charleston ($1,750) | Austin ($1,650) |
| State income tax | 6.4% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 45/100 ✓ | 41/100 |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 5 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Texas (None).
Salary $80K
$5,120
/year saved in Texas
Salary $120K
$7,680
/year saved in Texas
Salary $200K
$12,800
/year saved in Texas
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
South Carolina (SC)
Tax reality
South Carolina top income tax is 6.2% (being reduced to 5.75% over time) and property tax averages ~0.57%. Combined effective tax is moderate. The real cost is rising property insurance — coastal homeowners face 15-25% annual increases due to hurricane risk.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Hurricane/flood risk is real in the Lowcountry — Katrina, Matthew, Florence, Ian all caused significant damage. "Sunny day flooding" in Charleston happens 3-5 times/year now (king tide + sea level rise), closing streets and roads with no storm.
- ✕Extreme summer heat and humidity — July-August regularly hit 92°F+ with 75%+ humidity, making outdoor activity miserable. Heat index routinely 100°F+. This is worse than Alabama due to coastal moisture.
- ✕Insurance costs are spiking coastal — homeowners insurance increased 15-25%+ annually in Charleston area. Flood insurance is separate and expensive. Some insurers are exiting the state entirely.
Texas (TX)
Tax reality
Texas has no state income tax — on $100K that's roughly $5,000-$9,000/year you keep vs California. The catch: Texas property tax averages 1.6-2.3% annually, among the highest in the US. For renters, it's a pure win. For homeowners, a $450K home costs you $7,200-$10,300/year in property tax.
Top cities (5 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Summer heat is genuinely dangerous — 100°F+ days stretch from June through September, and the grid has failed multiple times (Uri 2021, summer 2023). Outdoor time is limited to early morning or after sundown.
- ✕Property taxes are the trade-off for no income tax. On a $450K home you'll pay $7,500-$10,500/year in property taxes — the highest in the country alongside New Jersey and Illinois.
- ✕Car dependency is near-total outside a few Austin and Houston neighborhoods. You will drive everywhere, including to the grocery store. Expect $400-$600/mo in all-in car costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Carolina or Texas cheaper to live in?
Texas has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,368/mo vs $1,750/mo in South Carolina, a $382/mo difference. Home prices: Texas median is $372K vs $510K.
South Carolina vs Texas: which has lower state income tax?
Texas has lower state income tax (None) vs 6.4% in South Carolina. On an $80K salary that's $5,120/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $12,800/year.
Should I move from South Carolina to Texas?
South Carolina top income tax is 6.2% (being reduced to 5.75% over time) and property tax averages ~0.57%. Combined effective tax is moderate. The real cost is rising property insurance — coastal homeowners face 15-25% annual increases due to hurricane risk.
What are the best cities in South Carolina vs Texas?
South Carolina's largest metros include Charleston. Texas's largest metros include Austin, Houston, Dallas. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a South Carolina suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.