Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Arizona instead of South Carolina, you would:
Health
live 1.5 years longer
In South Carolina, the average life expectancy is 75 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020. In Arizona, that number is 76 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
make 17.5% more money
South Carolina has a GDP per capita of $49,914 as of 2024, while in Arizona, the GDP per capita is $58,628 as of 2024.
be 18.4% less likely to be unemployed
In South Carolina, 4.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Arizona, that number is 4.0% as of 2025.
Safety
be 12.3% less likely to be a victim of violent crime
South Carolina has a violent crime rate of 454 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Arizona, that number is 398 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 17.2% less likely to be a victim of property crime
South Carolina has a property crime rate of 2,116 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Arizona, that number is 1,752 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 15.0% more money
The median household income in South Carolina is $66,818 as of 2023, while in Arizona, it is $76,872 as of 2023.
pay 51.6% more for a home
The median home value in South Carolina is $236,700 as of 2023, compared to $358,900 in Arizona as of 2023.
pay 27.1% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in South Carolina is $1,126 as of 2023, while in Arizona, it is $1,431 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 13.4% less likely to smoke
In South Carolina, 15.7% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Arizona, that number is 13.6% as of 2022.
live in an area that is 63.2% less densely populated
South Carolina has a population density of 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023. In Arizona, that number is 25.4 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 2.2 times more likely to have a foreign-born neighbor
In South Carolina, 2.9% of the population was born outside the US as of 2023. In Arizona, that number is 6.4% as of 2023.
live among residents who are 1.3 years older on average
The median age in South Carolina is 40.1 years as of 2023. In Arizona, the median age is 38.8 years 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.
