Quick answer
Washington has lower average 1BR rent ($1,600/mo vs $1,750/mo). State income tax: Washington (None) vs South Carolina (6.4%) — on a $120K salary that's $7,680/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
South Carolina vs Washington
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 Washington at a Glance
| Metric | South Carolina | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,750 | $1,600 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $510K ✓ | $570K |
| Cheapest city | Charleston ($1,750) | Spokane ($1,100) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Charleston ($1,750) | Seattle ($2,100) |
| State income tax | 6.4% | None ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 45/100 | 62/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 2 |
✓ 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: Washington (None).
Salary $80K
$5,120
/year saved in Washington
Salary $120K
$7,680
/year saved in Washington
Salary $200K
$12,800
/year saved in Washington
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.
Washington (WA)
Tax reality
Washington has no state income tax on W-2 wages. The state collects revenue through a 6.5% state sales tax (local rates push it to 9-10% in most metros) and a Business & Occupation (B&O) gross receipts tax that affects self-employed workers. A 7% capital gains tax (passed 2021) applies only to gains over $250K on investments — so most people never hit it.
Top cities (2 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Cloud cover from October through April is serious — many newcomers experience genuine seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you've never lived somewhere with low winter sunlight, test with a 2-week November visit before committing.
- ✕Home prices in Seattle proper have stayed high — $750K-$850K median for a modest SFH in decent neighborhoods. Bellevue and eastside tech suburbs run higher.
- ✕Sales tax 9-10% stings. Every purchase is noticeably more expensive than in no-sales-tax states like Oregon or Montana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Carolina or Washington cheaper to live in?
Washington has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,600/mo vs $1,750/mo in South Carolina, a $150/mo difference. Home prices: South Carolina median is $510K vs $570K.
South Carolina vs Washington: which has lower state income tax?
Washington 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 Washington?
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 Washington?
South Carolina's largest metros include Charleston. Washington's largest metros include Seattle, Spokane. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a South Carolina suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.