Delaware
DE • South
Quality of Life Score
50.03
State Comparison
Delaware vs South Carolina
South Carolina is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in South Carolina, Delaware has higher incomes, South Carolina has lower state income tax, and South Carolina gets more sunshine.
Delaware
14
/ 31
metrics won
Score
VS
South Carolina
17
/ 31
metrics won
SC wins Quality of Life
SC wins Climate
DE wins Income
DE wins Demographics
Quality of Life
Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.
Delaware
winner
vs
South Carolina
Delaware scores higher on quality of life — 4.38 points difference.
Overview
Key differences overview
These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.
Overall Affordability
South Carolina is 6.9 points cheaper overall
South Carolina has the lower cost-of-living index. South Carolina is at 96.3, while Delaware is at 103.2.
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Real Dollar Value
$100 goes $6.33 further in South Carolina
After BEA price-level adjustments, $100 has about $109.57 of local buying power in South Carolina, versus $103.24 in Delaware.
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Income
Delaware income is 24.7% higher
Delaware has the higher median household income at $79,325, compared with $63,623 in South Carolina.
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Jobs
Delaware minimum wage is $6.00 higher
Delaware has the higher statewide minimum wage at $13.25/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in South Carolina.
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Housing
Delaware homes cost about 1.2x more
South Carolina has the lower median home value at $245,200, versus $296,700 in Delaware.
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Taxes
South Carolina has lower state income tax
South Carolina has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 6.50%, compared with 6.60% in Delaware.
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Delaware
- Gross salary
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- State income tax (top rate 6.6%)
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- After state tax
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- Real buying power (BEA RPP)
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South Carolina
- Gross salary
- —
- State income tax (top rate 6.5%)
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- After state tax
- —
- Real buying power (BEA RPP)
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Cost-of-Living Equivalent
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* "After state tax" uses the top marginal rate — actual effective rate is lower for most incomes. Real buying power uses BEA Regional Price Parity (100.9 for Delaware, 94.7 for South Carolina). COL equivalent uses the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Tradeoffs
Pros and cons for each state
A fast scan of the biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.
Delaware
At-a-glance strengths and tradeoffs
Pros: Delaware
- Delaware has a lower housing cost index.
- Delaware shows higher median income.
- Delaware has a lower violent crime rate.
- Delaware health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
- Delaware health coverage access proxy is stronger.
- Delaware education proxy is higher.
Cons
- Delaware has a higher overall cost of living.
- Delaware has higher median home values.
- Delaware has higher property tax rates on average.
- Delaware job growth trend is weaker.
- Delaware has fewer sunny days.
South Carolina
At-a-glance strengths and tradeoffs
Pros: South Carolina
- South Carolina has a lower overall cost of living.
- South Carolina has lower median home values.
- South Carolina has lower property tax rates on average.
- South Carolina job growth trend is stronger.
- South Carolina has more sunny days.
Cons
- South Carolina has a higher housing cost index.
- South Carolina shows lower median income.
- South Carolina has a higher violent crime rate.
- South Carolina health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
- South Carolina health coverage access proxy is weaker.
- South Carolina education proxy is lower.
Full Comparison
Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.
| Metric |
DE
|
SC
|
|---|---|---|
|
Capital City
|
Dover | Columbia |
|
State Color
|
Solid Blue | Solid Red |
|
Population
|
989,948
|
5,118,425
|
|
Median Income
|
$79,325
|
$63,623
|
|
Cost of Living
|
103.2
|
96.3
|
|
Median Housing Value
|
$296,700
|
$245,200
|
|
Property Tax
|
0.50%
|
0.48%
|
|
State Income Tax
|
6.60%
|
6.50%
|
|
Minimum Wage
|
$13.25/hr
|
$7.25/hr
|
|
Gas Price
|
$3.914/gal
|
$3.820/gal
|
|
Electricity Rates
|
16.51 c/kWh
|
15.41 c/kWh
|
|
Livability Score
|
50.03
|
45.65
|
|
Average Temperature
|
55.3°F
|
62.4°F
|
|
Sunny Days
|
97 days
|
115 days
|
|
Land Area
|
2,489 sq mi
|
32,020 sq mi
|
|
Population Density
|
397.7 per sq mi
|
159.9 per sq mi
|
|
Statehood
|
December 7, 1787 (#1)
|
May 23, 1788 (#8)
|
Intent-Oriented
Which state fits your priorities better?
Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.
6
of
18
shown
Saving Money
South Carolina is cheaper overall
Overall cost-of-living index: 96.3 vs 103.2 in Delaware. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.
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Gas Price
South Carolina is cheaper at the pump
Average regular gas price: $3.820/gal in South Carolina vs $3.914/gal in Delaware. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.
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Minimum Wage
Delaware has the higher minimum wage
State minimum wage: $13.25/hr in Delaware vs $7.25/hr in South Carolina. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.
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Electricity Rates
South Carolina has cheaper electricity
Average residential electricity rate: 15.41 c/kWh in South Carolina vs 16.51 c/kWh in Delaware. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.
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Buying a Home
Delaware is more attainable for buyers
Home-value-to-income ratio: 3.74x in Delaware vs 3.85x in South Carolina. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.
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Renting
Delaware is easier for renters
Rent-to-income ratio: 18.5% in Delaware vs 20.9% in South Carolina. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.
See full dataExplore by Category
Dive Deeper
Each link opens a full one-on-one breakdown for that metric — national rankings, charts, and context.
Population
South Carolina has a larger population than Delaware by 4,128,477 people.
Population Density
Delaware is more densely populated than South Carolina.
Bachelor's Degree
Delaware has a higher college-educated share than South Carolina.
Advanced Degree
Delaware has a higher advanced-degree share than South Carolina.
People Also Ask
Delaware vs South Carolina - Common Questions
Q Is Delaware cheaper to live in than South Carolina?
South Carolina has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), South Carolina scores 96.3 versus 103.2 for Delaware - a gap of 6.9 points.
Q Where does $100 go further - Delaware or South Carolina?
$100 goes further in South Carolina. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $109.57 in South Carolina, compared with $103.24 in Delaware.
Q Which state is bigger - Delaware or South Carolina?
South Carolina is larger, covering 32,020 sq mi compared with 2,489 sq mi for Delaware - roughly 12.9x the size.
Q Does Delaware or South Carolina have more people?
South Carolina has the larger population at 5,118,425, compared with 989,948 in Delaware.
Q Which state has higher household income - Delaware or South Carolina?
Delaware has the higher median household income at $79,325, versus $63,623 in South Carolina.
Q Which state has lower income taxes - Delaware or South Carolina?
South Carolina has the lower state income tax top rate at 6.50%, compared with 6.60% in Delaware.
Q Is housing cheaper in Delaware or South Carolina?
Homes are cheaper in South Carolina, where the median home value is $245,200, versus $296,700 in Delaware.
Q Which state is more densely populated - Delaware or South Carolina?
Delaware is more densely populated at 397.7 per sq mi people per sq mi. South Carolina is more spread out at 159.9 per sq mi people per sq mi.
Related Comparisons
Methodology
All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.
Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.