Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Carolina instead of Rhode Island, you would:
Health
live 3.4 years less
In Rhode Island, the average life expectancy is 78 years (77 years for men, 82 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 12.0% more likely to be obese
In Rhode Island, 31.6% of adults are obese as of 2022. In South Carolina, that number is 35.4% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 12.3% less money
Rhode Island has a GDP per capita of $56,938 as of 2024, while in South Carolina, the GDP per capita is $49,914 as of 2024.
be 11.4% more likely to be unemployed
In Rhode Island, 4.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In South Carolina, that number is 4.9% as of 2025.
be 25.2% more likely to live below the poverty line
In Rhode Island, 10.3% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In South Carolina, however, that number is 12.9% as of 2023.
Safety
be 2.8 times more likely to be a victim of violent crime
Rhode Island has a violent crime rate of 165 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 454 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 91.9% more likely to be a victim of property crime
Rhode Island has a property crime rate of 1,102 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 2,116 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 35.8% less for a home
The median home value in Rhode Island is $368,800 as of 2023, compared to $236,700 in South Carolina as of 2023.
pay 11.5% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in Rhode Island is $1,273 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $1,126 as of 2023.
be 12.8% more likely to own your home
In Rhode Island, 63.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 71.4% as of 2023.
earn 22.6% less money
The median household income in Rhode Island is $86,372 as of 2023, while in South Carolina, it is $66,818 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
live in an area that is 83.1% less densely populated
Rhode Island has a population density of 407.8 people per sq km as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 2.2 times more likely to be uninsured
In Rhode Island, 4.2% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In South Carolina, that number is 9.2% as of 2023.
be 14.6% more likely to smoke
In Rhode Island, 13.7% of adults smoke as of 2022. In South Carolina, that number is 15.7% as of 2022.
be 21.5% less likely to have a bachelor's degree
In Rhode Island, 26.0% 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 56.1% less likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In Rhode Island, 6.6% 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, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
