Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Carolina instead of Maryland, you would:
Health
live 2.0 years less
In Maryland, the average life expectancy is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 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.
Economy
make 27.8% less money
Maryland has a GDP per capita of $69,127 as of 2024, while in South Carolina, the GDP per capita is $49,914 as of 2024.
be 32.4% more likely to be unemployed
In Maryland, 3.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In South Carolina, that number is 4.9% as of 2025.
be 43.3% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Maryland, 9.0% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In South Carolina, however, that number is 12.9% as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 40.5% less for a home
The median home value in Maryland is $397,700 as of 2023, compared to $236,700 in South Carolina as of 2023.
pay 32.3% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Maryland is $1,662 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $1,126 as of 2023.
earn 34.3% less money
The median household income in Maryland is $101,652 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $66,818 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 5.9 minutes less
The average one-way commute in Maryland takes 31.5 minutes as of 2023. In South Carolina, it takes 25.6 minutes as of 2023.
live in an area that is 71.9% less densely populated
Maryland has a population density of 245.6 people per sq km as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 53.3% more likely to be uninsured
In Maryland, 6.0% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 9.2% as of 2023.
be 30.8% more likely to smoke
In Maryland, 12.0% of adults smoke as of 2022. In South Carolina, that number is 15.7% as of 2022.
be 12.8% more likely to be physically inactive
In Maryland, 21.8% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In South Carolina, that number is 24.6% as of 2022.
be 29.9% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Maryland, 29.1% 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 60.3% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Maryland, 7.3% 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: OECD Regional Demography, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PLACES), Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.
