Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from South Carolina to Georgia
South Carolina and Georgia are both popular Southeast destinations — but they attract different profiles. Georgia's flat income tax (5.39%) is lower than South Carolina's top rate of 6.2% for high earners, but South Carolina has dramatically lower property taxes (~0.57% vs Georgia's ~0.92%) and generous retirement income exemptions. On a $400,000 home, South Carolina saves approximately $1,400/year on property tax. South Carolina's effective income tax rate for most middle-income earners is below its headline 6.2% top rate due to deductions; Georgia's 5.39% flat rate applies more uniformly. South Carolina is a particularly strong retirement destination: up to $15,000 of retirement income is exempt from SC income tax per person (and all Social Security is exempt), plus among the lowest property taxes in the Southeast. Georgia's Atlanta metro dominates for career opportunity; South Carolina's Charleston, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach attract retirees and remote workers.
Top Rate (above $17,000)
Top bracket reducing to 6.0% by 2027; low property tax ~0.57%; retirement income partly exempt
Flat Rate (2024)
Reducing to 4.99% by 2029; property tax ~0.92%
At $100,000 income:
That is $67/month back in your pocket!
| Income | SC Tax | GA Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | ~$2,232 SC income tax (~4.5% effective); ~$855 property (median $150K × 0.57%) = ~$3,087 total | $2,695 GA income tax (5.39%); ~$1,380 property (median $150K × 0.92%) = ~$4,075 total | SC saves ~$988 | $9,880 |
| $75,000 | ~$4,030 SC income tax (~5.4% effective); ~$1,140 property (median $200K × 0.57%) = ~$5,170 total | $4,043 GA income tax; ~$1,840 property (median $200K × 0.92%) = ~$5,883 total | SC saves ~$713 | $7,130 |
| $100,000 | ~$5,890 SC income tax (~5.9% effective); ~$1,710 property (median $300K × 0.57%) = ~$7,600 total | $5,390 GA income tax; ~$2,760 property (median $300K × 0.92%) = ~$8,150 total | SC saves ~$550 | $5,500 |
| $150,000 | ~$9,165 SC income tax (~6.1% effective); ~$2,280 property ($400K × 0.57%) = ~$11,445 total | $8,085 GA income tax; ~$3,680 property ($400K × 0.92%) = ~$11,765 total | SC saves ~$320 | $3,200 |
| $200,000 | ~$12,286 SC income tax (~6.14% effective); ~$2,850 property ($500K × 0.57%) = ~$15,136 total | $10,780 GA income tax; ~$4,600 property ($500K × 0.92%) = ~$15,380 total | Nearly identical at high incomes | $2,000 |
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Moving between South Carolina and Georgia? Both have changing income tax rates and different retirement income rules. Get matched with a CPA who specialises in Southeast state tax planning.
Get Matched With a CPA →South Carolina has a slight advantage for most retirees due to its dramatically lower property taxes and full Social Security exemption. SC effective retirement tax burden: $0 on Social Security, $0 on up to $15,000 of other retirement income per person, and 6.2% on any amounts above — effectively, a couple with $80,000 in retirement income (SS + pension/IRA) might pay $0–2,000/year in SC income tax. Georgia's exemption is larger ($65,000 per person for 65+) but only applies at 65+. Both states are excellent for retirees; SC's low property taxes (0.57%) are the decisive advantage for retirees who own their home.
South Carolina assesses owner-occupied primary residences at 4% of fair market value, then applies the local millage rate. Commercial and non-primary properties are assessed at 6%. The 4% assessment ratio — combined with competitive millage rates — produces one of the lowest effective property tax rates in the Southeast at approximately 0.57%. Additionally, SC offers the Homestead Exemption for residents 65+, legally blind, or totally disabled — exempting the first $50,000 of assessed fair market value from county taxes. This effectively reduces property tax to near zero for many qualifying seniors on modest-value homes.
Charleston is a top remote worker destination — consistently ranked in 'best places to work remotely' lists for its quality of life, walkable downtown, beaches, and culture. Cost of living in Charleston is below Atlanta (housing is lower outside the most desirable neighbourhoods). Tax-wise: SC and GA are similar overall, but SC's lower property tax makes Charleston homeownership cheaper than Atlanta equivalents. Atlanta wins on: internet infrastructure, airport connectivity (world's busiest airport), and professional networking if any in-person work is needed. For fully remote workers prioritising quality of life: Charleston is exceptional. For hybrid workers needing occasional office access: Atlanta's scale and connectivity is better.
No. South Carolina has no state estate tax or state inheritance tax. Georgia also has no state estate tax. Both states are estate-tax-free at the state level — residents only owe federal estate tax, which applies to estates above $13.61M (2024 exemption, indexed for inflation). For residents with significant wealth, both SC and GA are excellent states for estate planning — similar to Florida and Texas on this dimension. The distinction at the state level is zero for both SC and GA.
South Carolina's income tax uses six brackets: 0% on the first $3,200; 3% on $3,201–6,410; 4% on $6,411–9,620; 5% on $9,621–12,820; 6% on $12,821–16,040; and 6.2% above $16,040. The top rate applies at just $16,040 of taxable income — meaning most employed adults are in the 6.2% bracket on a large portion of their income. The top rate is legislated to reduce to 6.0% by 2027. Compare to Georgia's single flat rate of 5.39% (2024) applying to all taxable income — Georgia is simpler and cheaper for incomes above approximately $75,000.