Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Maryland instead of South Carolina, you would:
Health
live 2.0 years longer
In South Carolina, the average life expectancy is 75 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020. In Maryland, that number is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020.
Economy
make 38.5% more money
South Carolina has a GDP per capita of $49,914 as of 2024, while in Maryland, the GDP per capita is $69,127 as of 2024.
be 24.5% less likely to be unemployed
In South Carolina, 4.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Maryland, that number is 3.7% as of 2025.
be 30.2% less likely to live below the poverty line
In South Carolina, 12.9% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Maryland, however, that number is 9.0% as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 52.1% more money
The median household income in South Carolina is $66,818 as of 2023, while in Maryland, it is $101,652 as of 2023.
pay 68.0% more for a home
The median home value in South Carolina is $236,700 as of 2023, compared to $397,700 in Maryland as of 2023.
pay 47.6% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in South Carolina is $1,126 as of 2023, while in Maryland, it is $1,662 as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 34.8% less likely to be uninsured
In South Carolina, 9.2% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Maryland, that number is 6.0% as of 2023.
be 23.6% less likely to smoke
In South Carolina, 15.7% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Maryland, that number is 12.0% as of 2022.
be 11.4% less likely to be physically inactive
In South Carolina, 24.6% of adults are physically inactive as of 2022. In Maryland, that number is 21.8% as of 2022.
be 42.6% more likely to have a bachelor's degree
In South Carolina, 20.4% of the population holds a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2023. In Maryland, that number is 29.1% as of 2023.
be 2.5 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 Maryland, that number is 7.3% as of 2023.
commute 5.9 minutes longer
The average one-way commute in South Carolina takes 25.6 minutes as of 2023. In Maryland, it takes 31.5 minutes as of 2023.
live in an area that is 3.6 times more densely populated
South Carolina has a population density of 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023. In Maryland, that number is 245.6 people per sq km 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.
