South Carolina
South Carolina ranks #39 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 44.4/100 and a C grade. Its strongest category is Growth (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (9/100).
How Does South Carolina Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in South Carolina
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Fort Mill | A+ | 69.3 | 28,281 | $127,537 | 81.6 | — |
| 78 | Bluffton | A+ | 64.7 | 31,323 | $105,463 | 94.6 | 95.7 |
| 159 | Mount Pleasant | A | 61.4 | 95,229 | $127,357 | 148.5 | — |
| 308 | Greer | B+ | 57.5 | 39,191 | $80,030 | 212.5 | — |
| 346 | Charleston | B+ | 56.7 | 155,988 | $95,126 | 405.4 | 100.6 |
| 415 | Goose Creek | B | 55.0 | 46,964 | $87,437 | 244.2 | — |
| 447 | Hilton Head Island | B | 54.2 | 37,805 | $96,715 | — | 95.7 |
| 636 | Conway | C+ | 50.0 | 26,082 | $54,841 | 378 | 89.1 |
| 641 | Greenville | C+ | 49.8 | 72,822 | $73,536 | 614 | 92.8 |
| 666 | Summerville | C | 49.1 | 51,262 | $78,621 | 452.9 | — |
| 738 | North Charleston | C | 47.2 | 121,463 | $64,070 | 926.2 | 100.6 |
| 774 | Columbia | C | 46.0 | 142,083 | $52,943 | 767.5 | 92.9 |
| 793 | Aiken | C | 45.6 | 32,334 | $69,837 | 340 | — |
| 804 | Rock Hill | D | 45.1 | 75,641 | $65,397 | 516.6 | 97 |
| 881 | Carolina Forest | D | 42.5 | 26,373 | $70,647 | — | — |
| 908 | Anderson | D | 41.3 | 29,563 | $44,321 | 604.9 | 92.8 |
| 941 | Florence | D | 39.6 | 40,205 | $56,433 | 1151 | 88 |
| 942 | Myrtle Beach | D | 39.5 | 37,214 | $53,679 | 1007.5 | 92.8 |
| 964 | Sumter | F | 37.6 | 43,065 | $53,071 | 874.4 | 86.3 |
| 975 | Spartanburg | F | 36.4 | 38,578 | $51,193 | 1599.8 | 90.6 |
Best Cities in South Carolina for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Mill | 69.0 | 67.7 | 97.3 | 63.0 |
| 2 | Bluffton | 67.1 | 68.0 | 93.9 | 64.3 |
| 3 | Mount Pleasant | 60.7 | 51.0 | 87.9 | 51.9 |
| 4 | Greer | 59.9 | 50.6 | 80.9 | 71.2 |
| 5 | Charleston | 58.8 | 57.9 | 66.7 | 67.0 |
More South States
South Carolina Rankings Overview
South Carolina earns an overall grade of C with a composite score of 44.4 out of 100, ranking #39 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Growth (78/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (9/100).
Economy & Employment in South Carolina
With an unemployment rate of 3.5% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), South Carolina performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $62,064, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in South Carolina
South Carolina's violent crime rate of 492 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in South Carolina
South Carolina ranks #39 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #37 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in South Carolina is 75.7 years, and the high school graduation rate is 84%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in South Carolina
South Carolina's total tax burden is 8.15% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 6.2%. The effective property tax rate is 0.53% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.49%.
Housing & Affordability in South Carolina
The median home price in South Carolina is $381,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 93 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 6.1x.
Environment in South Carolina
South Carolina has a median air quality index of 44 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 8% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 39.2 (above average risk).
Growth & Migration in South Carolina
South Carolina's population growth rate is +1.4% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +12.7 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 92.8% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in South Carolina
The top-ranked cities in South Carolina based on our composite scoring are Fort Mill, Bluffton, and Mount Pleasant. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Carolina's overall ranking?
South Carolina ranks #39 out of 50 states with a composite score of 44.4/100 and a grade of C.
Is South Carolina a good place to live?
South Carolina scores 44.4/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in South Carolina?
The violent crime rate in South Carolina is 492 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does South Carolina's economy compare?
South Carolina's median household income is $62,064 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in South Carolina?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in South Carolina are Fort Mill, Bluffton, and Mount Pleasant.
How does South Carolina rank for families?
South Carolina ranks #40 of 50 states for families with a score of 43.3/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does South Carolina rank for retirees?
South Carolina ranks #43 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 48.4/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does South Carolina rank for remote workers?
South Carolina ranks #32 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 52.8/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.