Quick answer
South Carolina is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $269,350 versus $336,800. Georgia shows +2.4% population change and South Carolina +2.2%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | Georgia | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $336,800 | $269,350 |
| Median rent | $1,680/mo | $1,381/mo |
| Household income | $95,488 | $85,350 |
| Population change | +2.4% | +2.2% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 301 | 389 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.5× | 3.2× |
| State wage income tax | Yes | Yes |
Georgia in numbers
Median home value
$336,800
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,680/mo
Household income
$95,488
Violent crime / 100k
301
Georgia, 2025
Population change
+2.4%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+11.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.5×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodstock, GA | 84 | $387,300 | $1,735 | $105,396 | +3.2% |
| Perry, GA | 78 | $209,300 | $1,105 | $81,648 | +4.5% |
| Snellville, GA | 74 | $293,400 | $1,794 | $88,378 | +1.5% |
| Sugar Hill, GA | 71 | $375,900 | $1,738 | $99,479 | +1.4% |
| Newnan, GA | 69 | $327,800 | $1,391 | $80,299 | +1.9% |
| Pooler, GA | 69 | $289,000 | $1,625 | $91,497 | +3.7% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth County | 79 | $493,800 | $1,937 | $138,000 | +2.7% |
| Cherokee County | 75 | $389,800 | $1,703 | $105,442 | +2.2% |
| Jackson County | 74 | $312,700 | $1,048 | $85,012 | +4.7% |
| Lamar County | 74 | $201,400 | $913 | $68,457 | +2.3% |
| Habersham County | 73 | $212,000 | $939 | $65,622 | +1.3% |
| Lee County | 73 | $226,900 | $1,147 | $88,024 | +1.1% |
South Carolina in numbers
Median home value
$269,350
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,381/mo
Household income
$85,350
Violent crime / 100k
389
South Carolina, 2025
Population change
+2.2%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+10.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.2×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Mill, SC | 88 | $457,000 | $1,437 | $127,537 | +8.7% |
| Greer, SC | 83 | $264,300 | $1,144 | $80,030 | +5.9% |
| Bluffton, SC | 76 | $444,500 | $2,187 | $105,463 | +6.6% |
| Lexington, SC | 73 | $271,200 | $1,360 | $83,263 | +2.0% |
| Simpsonville, SC | 73 | $267,500 | $1,322 | $79,233 | +4.1% |
| North Augusta, SC | 70 | $220,500 | $1,080 | $90,132 | +2.1% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County | 74 | $407,600 | $1,484 | $84,819 | +1.6% |
| Berkeley County | 74 | $280,300 | $1,518 | $82,327 | +3.2% |
| Lexington County | 72 | $217,700 | $1,115 | $75,014 | +1.5% |
| Saluda County | 72 | $123,200 | $814 | $52,957 | +0.0% |
| York County | 71 | $322,700 | $1,304 | $83,060 | +2.0% |
| Spartanburg County | 70 | $216,000 | $1,019 | $64,195 | +2.4% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
Georgia vs. South Carolina: Where Should You Live in 2027?
South Carolina is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $269,350 versus $336,800. Georgia shows +2.4% population change and South Carolina +2.2%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in Georgia?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring Georgia cities are Woodstock, Perry, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Newnan, and the top counties are Forsyth County, Cherokee County, Jackson County, Lamar County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does Georgia have a state income tax?
Yes, Georgia taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
