Kentucky vs South Carolina Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$81,967
in Kentucky
$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 | Kentucky | South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 74.8 | 80.6 | -7% |
| Groceries | 99.8 | 99.0 | +1% |
| Utilities | 88.0 | 96.9 | -9% |
| Transportation | 96.0 | 96.4 | 0% |
| Healthcare | 93.5 | 94.2 | -1% |
| Dining & Misc | 101.9 | 98.2 | +4% |
| Overall | 91.5 | 92.7 | -1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Kentucky.
What things actually cost
| Item | Kentucky | South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $195,000 | $285,000 | $90,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,047/mo | $1,128/mo | $81 |
| Gas price | $3.16/gal | $3.21/gal | $0.05 |
| Electric bill | $89/mo | $97/mo | $7 |
| Infant childcare | $8,756/yr | $11,512/yr | $2,756 |
Salary equivalent: Kentucky → South Carolina
What a Kentucky salary buys you in South Carolina, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Kentucky | Equivalent in South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $50,656 | $-656 |
| $75,000 | $75,984 | $-984 |
| $100,000 | $101,311 | $-1,311 |
| $150,000 | $151,967 | $-1,967 |
| $200,000 | $202,623 | $-2,623 |
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
Kentucky and South Carolina have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 91.5 and 92.7 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Kentucky or South Carolina?
Kentucky and South Carolina have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Kentucky cheaper than South Carolina?
Kentucky and South Carolina cost roughly the same to live in.
Is South Carolina more expensive than Kentucky?
Kentucky and South Carolina have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in South Carolina equals $100,000 in Kentucky?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Kentucky, you would need approximately $101,311 in South Carolina. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (91.5 vs 92.7).
How do housing costs compare between Kentucky and South Carolina?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Kentucky. Median home prices are $195,000 in Kentucky vs $285,000 in South Carolina — a $90,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,047/mo vs $1,128/mo.
What costs more in Kentucky vs South Carolina?
Utilities is 9% lower in Kentucky (index 88 vs 96.9). Housing is 7% lower in Kentucky (index 74.8 vs 80.6). Dining & Misc is 4% higher in Kentucky (index 101.9 vs 98.2).
Is gas cheaper in Kentucky or South Carolina?
Gas averages $3.16/gallon in Kentucky and $3.21/gallon in South Carolina — a $0.05 difference per gallon.
Kentucky vs South Carolina cost of living — how do they compare?
Kentucky has an overall cost-of-living index of 91.5 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 Kentucky and South Carolina?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Kentucky has a flat income tax rate of 3.50% for 2026, reduced from 4.00% in 2025. South Carolina uses a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.40% on income above $16,040. Use the Kentucky vs South Carolina paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Kentucky and South Carolina?
Kentucky requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. South Carolina requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
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
- Kentucky Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- South Carolina Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Kentucky vs South Carolina Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Kentucky — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in South Carolina — How much house can you afford?
- Kentucky Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- South Carolina Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Kentucky Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- South Carolina Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Kentucky Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- South Carolina Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- 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.