Relocation Guide · California to South Carolina
Leaving California. Landing in South Carolina.
Why families are making the move
The money: what you will actually save (and the one tradeoff)
| California | South Carolina | |
| State income tax | 1% to 13.3% (10 brackets) | 1.99% up to $30k, 5.21% above (top rate cut from 6% in 2026, path toward zero) |
| Median home price (2026) | ~$782,000 to $905,000 | ~$398,000 statewide (Greenville ~$340k to $380k, Columbia ~$225k) |
| Combined sales tax (avg.) | ~8.8% | ~7.5% |
| Avg. property tax rate | ~0.74% (Prop 13 caps) | ~0.5% (among the lowest in the U.S.) |
| Estate tax | None | None |
Freedom on paper: the laws that actually differ
Second Amendment
- South Carolina: permitless (constitutional) carry since 2024. Most adults can carry without a permit. No magazine limits, no "assault weapons" ban, no red-flag law. Optional permits remain available for reciprocity when traveling.
- California: a 16-hour training requirement for carry permits, long lists of prohibited "sensitive places," a 10-round magazine limit, an assault-weapons ban, and as of January 1, 2026, a storage law that makes it a violation to keep a firearm on your own nightstand.
Homeschooling and school choice
- South Carolina: a flexible homeschool framework. Most families register through one of the state's homeschool accountability associations, a light-touch standard rather than state-run testing. South Carolina also restored its Education Scholarship Trust Fund in 2025, providing roughly $7,500 per student for private and educational expenses, currently income-limited and capped but expanding each year.
- California: homeschooling generally requires filing a private school affidavit and complying with private-school requirements.
Schools
Where to land: a quick tour for California families
For a wider look at the state, including schools, the economy, and day to day life, see our Move to South Carolina overview.
The Upstate (Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer, Simpsonville)
Lake Country (Lake Keowee, Lake Hartwell, Seneca, Anderson)
Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand
Charleston and the Lowcountry
Columbia and the Midlands
A note on the coast and the city cores
What surprises Californians (so nothing surprises you)
- South Carolina does tax income, unlike Texas or Florida. The good news is the top rate just dropped to 5.21 percent and is headed lower.
- Summers are hot and humid, a real change from dry California, and spring pollen in the Southeast is no joke.
- The coast carries hurricane risk and higher insurance, June through November. The inland Upstate around Greenville is far lower-risk and a big reason so many families land there.
- Property taxes are very low, especially on an owner-occupied primary residence, which carries a favorable assessment.
- Different pace and culture. Small-town Southern hospitality is real, and so is a slower rhythm than coastal California.
How to make the move without living it twice
conservativemove.com/get-startedQuestions
Frequently asked questions
Is it really cheaper to live in South Carolina than California?
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
Which part of South Carolina is best for conservative families?
Should I sell my California home before I buy in South Carolina?
Can I use my own agent to sell my California home?
How long does a California-to-South Carolina move usually take?
An honest word before you go
No move is only upside. South Carolina has trade-offs of its own, and the right answer depends on your family, your budget, and your timeline. Our job is to give you the real picture and connect you with a trusted conservative agent on both ends, at no cost to you. We only earn when a partner agent closes your sale or purchase.
Ready When You Are
Sell in California. Buy in South Carolina.
One team coordinates both sides of your move so you never have to live it twice. Free to you, start to finish.
Get Started FreeOr call 800-277-5487
