Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Carolina instead of Pennsylvania, you would:
Health
live 2.0 years less
In Pennsylvania, 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 18.8% less money
Pennsylvania has a GDP per capita of $61,506 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 Pennsylvania, 3.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In South Carolina, that number is 4.9% as of 2025.
be 14.2% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Pennsylvania, 11.3% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In South Carolina, however, that number is 12.9% as of 2023.
Safety
be 71.9% more likely to be a victim of violent crime
Pennsylvania has a violent crime rate of 264 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 454 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 35.0% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Pennsylvania has a property crime rate of 1,567 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 2,116 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 12.2% less money
The median household income in Pennsylvania is $76,081 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $66,818 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
live in an area that is 38.4% less densely populated
Pennsylvania has a population density of 112.2 people per sq km as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 67.3% more likely to be uninsured
In Pennsylvania, 5.5% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 9.2% as of 2023.
be 15.7% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Pennsylvania, 24.2% 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 12.1% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Pennsylvania, 3.3% 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, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
