Georgia vs South Carolina Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$81,345
in Georgia
$80,906
in South Carolina
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Georgia | South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 79.7 | 80.6 | -1% |
| Groceries | 97.8 | 99.0 | -1% |
| Utilities | 100.6 | 96.9 | +4% |
| Transportation | 95.7 | 96.4 | -1% |
| Healthcare | 97.2 | 94.2 | +3% |
| Dining & Misc | 97.0 | 98.2 | -1% |
| Overall | 92.2 | 92.7 | -1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Georgia.
What things actually cost
| Item | Georgia | South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $310,000 | $285,000 | +$25,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,116/mo | $1,128/mo | $12 |
| Gas price | $3.32/gal | $3.21/gal | +$0.11 |
| Electric bill | $101/mo | $97/mo | +$4 |
| Infant childcare | $11,863/yr | $11,512/yr | +$351 |
Salary equivalent: Georgia → South Carolina
What a Georgia salary buys you in South Carolina, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Georgia | Equivalent in South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,271 | $-271 |
| $75,000 | $75,407 | $-407 |
| $100,000 | $100,542 | $-542 |
| $150,000 | $150,813 | $-813 |
| $200,000 | $201,085 | $-1,085 |
Positive = your money goes further in South Carolina. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Georgia and South Carolina have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 92.2 and 92.7 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Georgia or South Carolina?
Georgia and South Carolina have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Georgia cheaper than South Carolina?
Georgia and South Carolina cost roughly the same to live in.
Is South Carolina more expensive than Georgia?
Georgia and South Carolina have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in South Carolina equals $100,000 in Georgia?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Georgia, you would need approximately $100,542 in South Carolina. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (92.2 vs 92.7).
How do housing costs compare between Georgia and South Carolina?
Housing is significantly cheaper in South Carolina. Median home prices are $310,000 in Georgia vs $285,000 in South Carolina — a $25,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,116/mo vs $1,128/mo.
What costs more in Georgia vs South Carolina?
Utilities is 4% higher in Georgia (index 100.6 vs 96.9). Healthcare is 3% higher in Georgia (index 97.2 vs 94.2). Groceries is 1% lower in Georgia (index 97.8 vs 99).
Is gas cheaper in Georgia or South Carolina?
Gas averages $3.32/gallon in Georgia and $3.21/gallon in South Carolina — a $0.11 difference per gallon.
Georgia vs South Carolina cost of living — how do they compare?
Georgia has an overall cost-of-living index of 92.2 and South Carolina has 92.7 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Georgia and South Carolina?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Use the Georgia vs South Carolina paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Georgia Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Carolina Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Georgia vs South Carolina Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Georgia — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Carolina — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.