Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Iowa instead of South Carolina, you would:
Health
live 2.7 years longer
In South Carolina, the average life expectancy is 75 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020. In Iowa, that number is 78 years (76 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
make 27.7% more money
South Carolina has a GDP per capita of $49,914 as of 2024, while in Iowa, the GDP per capita is $63,747 as of 2024.
be 32.7% less likely to be unemployed
In South Carolina, 4.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Iowa, that number is 3.3% as of 2025.
be 18.6% less likely to live below the poverty line
In South Carolina, 12.9% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Iowa, however, that number is 10.5% as of 2023.
Safety
be 39.0% 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 Iowa, that number is 277 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 32.6% 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 Iowa, that number is 1,427 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
pay 17.2% less for a home
The median home value in South Carolina is $236,700 as of 2023, compared to $195,900 in Iowa as of 2023.
pay 15.7% less in rent
The median monthly gross rent in South Carolina is $1,126 as of 2023, while in Iowa, it is $949 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
commute 5.8 minutes less
The average one-way commute in South Carolina takes 25.6 minutes as of 2023. In Iowa, it takes 19.8 minutes as of 2023.
be 48.9% less likely to be uninsured
In South Carolina, 9.2% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 4.7% as of 2023.
live in an area that is 67.9% less densely populated
South Carolina has a population density of 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023. In Iowa, that number is 22.2 people per sq km as of 2023.
be 20.4% less likely to be food insecure
In South Carolina, 9.3% of the population is food insecure as of 2021. In Iowa, that number is 7.4% as of 2021.
live among residents who are 1.5 years older on average
The median age in South Carolina is 40.1 years as of 2023. In Iowa, the median age is 38.6 years as of 2023.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Feeding America, OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
