Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Rhode Island instead of South Carolina, you would:
Health
live 3.4 years longer
In South Carolina, the average life expectancy is 75 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2020. In Rhode Island, that number is 78 years (77 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020.
be 10.7% less likely to be obese
In South Carolina, 35.4% of adults are obese as of 2022. In Rhode Island, that number is 31.6% of people as of 2022.
Economy
make 14.1% more money
South Carolina has a GDP per capita of $49,914 as of 2024, while in Rhode Island, the GDP per capita is $56,938 as of 2024.
be 10.2% less likely to be unemployed
In South Carolina, 4.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Rhode Island, that number is 4.4% as of 2025.
be 20.2% less likely to live below the poverty line
In South Carolina, 12.9% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Rhode Island, however, that number is 10.3% as of 2023.
Safety
be 63.7% 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 Rhode Island, that number is 165 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 47.9% 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 Rhode Island, that number is 1,102 per 100,000 as of 2023.
Housing & Income
earn 29.3% more money
The median household income in South Carolina is $66,818 as of 2023, while in Rhode Island, it is $86,372 as of 2023.
pay 55.8% more for a home
The median home value in South Carolina is $236,700 as of 2023, compared to $368,800 in Rhode Island as of 2023.
pay 13.1% more in rent
The median monthly gross rent in South Carolina is $1,126 as of 2023, while in Rhode Island, it is $1,273 as of 2023.
be 11.3% less likely to own your home
In South Carolina, 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied as of 2023. In Rhode Island, that number is 63.3% as of 2023.
Lifestyle
be 54.3% less likely to be uninsured
In South Carolina, 9.2% of the population is without health insurance as of 2023. In Rhode Island, that number is 4.2% as of 2023.
be 12.7% less likely to smoke
In South Carolina, 15.7% of adults smoke as of 2022. In Rhode Island, that number is 13.7% as of 2022.
be 27.5% 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 Rhode Island, that number is 26.0% as of 2023.
be 2.3 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 Rhode Island, that number is 6.6% as of 2023.
live in an area that is 5.9 times more densely populated
South Carolina has a population density of 69.1 people per sq km as of 2023. In Rhode Island, that number is 407.8 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, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
