Quick answer
South Carolina has lower average 1BR rent ($1,500/mo vs $2,100/mo). State income tax: South Carolina (6.4%) vs Hawaii (11% (top)) — on a $120K salary that's $720/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Hawaii vs South Carolina
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
Hawaii vs South Carolina at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $2,100 | $1,500 ✓ |
| Avg median home price | $875K | $448K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Greenville ($1,250) ✓ |
| Priciest city | Honolulu ($2,100) | Charleston ($1,750) |
| State income tax | 11% (top) | 6.4% ✓ |
| Avg walkability | 64/100 ✓ | 57/100 |
| 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: South Carolina (6.4%).
Salary $80K
$480
/year saved in South Carolina
Salary $120K
$720
/year saved in South Carolina
Salary $200K
$1,200
/year saved in South Carolina
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Hawaii (HI)
Tax reality
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Groceries cost 40–60% more than mainland USA. A gallon of milk runs $8–10 in Honolulu.
- ✕Housing median price $1.1M on Oahu (2024). Rental vacancy below 2%—nearly impossible to find apartments.
- ✕Limited job market outside tourism, military, and government. Career mobility requires leaving.
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 (2 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii or South Carolina cheaper to live in?
South Carolina has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,500/mo vs $2,100/mo in Hawaii, a $600/mo difference. Home prices: South Carolina median is $448K vs $875K.
Hawaii vs South Carolina: which has lower state income tax?
South Carolina has lower state income tax (6.4%) vs 11% (top) in Hawaii. On an $80K salary that's $480/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $1,200/year.
Should I move from Hawaii to South Carolina?
State income tax reaches 11% at top bracket. Add GET (Gross Excise Tax) at 4.712% applied to most services and products, plus real estate conveyance tax of ~0.5% on property sales. A $400k home purchase costs $2,000 in conveyance tax alone.
What are the best cities in Hawaii vs South Carolina?
Hawaii's largest metros include Honolulu. South Carolina's largest metros include Charleston, Greenville. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Hawaii suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.