Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Carolina instead of California, you would:
Health
live 4.2 years less
In California, the average life expectancy is 79 years (78 years for men, 83 years for women) as of 2020. In South Carolina, that number is 75 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020.
be 24.6% more likely to be obese
In California, 28.4% of adults are obese as of 2022. In South Carolina, that number is 35.4% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 40.6% less money
California has a GDP per capita of $84,028 as of 2024, while in South Carolina, the GDP per capita is $49,914 as of 2024.
be 10.3% more likely to live below the poverty line
In California, 11.7% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In South Carolina, however, that number is 12.9% as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 66.0% less for a home
The median home value in California is $695,400 as of 2023, compared to $236,700 in South Carolina as of 2023.
pay 42.4% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in California is $1,956 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $1,126 as of 2023.
be 28.0% more likely to own your home
In California, 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 71.4% as of 2023.
earn 30.6% less money
The median household income in California is $96,334 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $66,818 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 3.4 minutes less
The average one-way commute in California takes 29.0 minutes as of 2023. In South Carolina, it takes 25.6 minutes as of 2023.
live among residents who are 2.5 years older on average
The median age in California is 37.6 years as of 2023. In South Carolina, the median age is 40.1 years as of 2023.
live in an area that is 28.8% less densely populated
California has a population density of 97.0 people per sq km as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 10.6% less likely to be food insecure
In California, 10.4% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In South Carolina, that number is 9.3% as of 2021.
be 35.3% more likely to be uninsured
In California, 6.8% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 9.2% as of 2023.
be 35.3% more likely to smoke
In California, 11.6% of adults smoke as of 2022. In South Carolina, that number is 15.7% as of 2022.
be 18.4% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In California, 25.0% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.
be 76.2% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In California, 12.2% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 2.9% as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Feeding America, OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.
