Economy, jobs and prices in South Carolina, United States: official figures
The economy of South Carolina (gross domestic product) was worth $378.4 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.2% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 24th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 6.1% on 2024.
How fast is the economy of South Carolina growing?
After adjusting for inflation, real GDP in South Carolina grew 3.3% in 2025, against 2.3% for the United States; 4th fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of South Carolina?
Dividing 2025 GDP by the Census Bureau's population estimate gives $67,929 of output per resident, against $90,294 for the US economy divided by the population of the 50 states and DC; 7th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs the economy of South Carolina growing or shrinking?
In the second quarter of 2026, real GDP in South Carolina grew at an annual rate of 3.5% (United States: 2.2%); tied for 2nd fastest-growing of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat are the main industries in South Carolina?
In 2025 the largest private industry in South Carolina's economy was real estate, rental and leasing (15.6% of GDP), followed by manufacturing (12.9%) and retail trade (7.4%). Government accounted for 12.9%; the manufacturing share was 11th highest of 51 (United States: 9.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow much do people in South Carolina spend?
Consumer spending (personal consumption expenditures) in South Carolina came to $53,665 per person in 2025 (United States: $61,062); 13th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyIs South Carolina expensive to live in?
Prices in South Carolina were 6.3% below the national average in 2024, by BEA's regional price parity of 93.7 (US = 100), which covers goods, services and housing; 19th least expensive of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the inflation rate in South Carolina?
Prices in South Carolina rose 2.9% in 2024, measured by BEA's implicit regional price deflator, against 2.6% nationally (PCE price index).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the per capita income in South Carolina?
Personal income per person in South Carolina was $63,435 in 2025, against $77,028 for the United States; 7th lowest of 51. It was up 4.5% on 2024 and up 30.0% on 2020, before inflation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the disposable income per person in South Carolina?
After taxes, disposable personal income per person was $56,314 in 2025 (United States: $67,251); 7th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyHow far does income go in South Carolina?
Adjusted for local price levels, real personal income per person in South Carolina was $52,463 in 2024 in 2017 dollars (United States: $59,195); 7th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · saved copyWhat is the median household income in South Carolina?
Median household income in South Carolina was $72,350 in 2024 (margin of error ±$959), against $81,604 for the United States; 13th lowest of 51 by the point estimate. It was up 3.7% on 2023 after adjusting for inflation (American Community Survey).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in South Carolina?
The Gini index of household income inequality in South Carolina was 0.466 in 2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 means one household has everything; United States: 0.481); 26th most unequal of 51.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in South Carolina?
The unemployment rate in South Carolina was 4.0% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), down from 4.7% a year earlier; tied for 22nd highest of 51. The rate for the 50 states and DC combined was 4.2%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in South Carolina?
In September 2026, 106,689 people in South Carolina were unemployed and 2,573,275 employed, out of a labor force of 2,679,964.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat was the unemployment rate in South Carolina in 2025?
Over 2025 the unemployment rate in South Carolina averaged 4.5% (an 11-month average: October 2025 was not collected during the federal shutdown), against 4.1% in 2024; tied for 13th highest of 51. The lowest annual rate since 1976 was 2.8% in 2019.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average salary in South Carolina?
Workers covered by unemployment insurance in South Carolina were paid $63,728 on average in 2025 ($1,226 a week), up 4.5% on 2024; the US average was $78,720. That is 15th lowest of 51.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyHow many jobs are there in South Carolina?
Employers in South Carolina had an average of 2,320,850 jobs on their payrolls in 2025 across 193,664 establishments, up 1.6% on 2024 (United States: up 0.5%).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median wage in South Carolina?
The median annual wage across all occupations in South Carolina was $46,490 in May 2025 (mean $59,280); 7th lowest of 51. One in ten workers earned less than $27,070 and one in ten more than $103,010.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the most common job in South Carolina?
The most common occupation in South Carolina in May 2025 was retail salespersons, with 67,310 workers and a median annual wage of $30,690.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in South Carolina?
Median household income in South Carolina was $72,507 in 2024, 14th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $81,604). In 2019 it was $56,360, so it has risen 28.6% before allowing for inflation.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in South Carolina?
The median gross rent in South Carolina, including utilities, was $1,272 a month in 2024, up 8.7% on 2023 ($1,170); 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $1,487).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the median home value in South Carolina?
Homeowners in South Carolina valued their homes at a median of $299,500 in 2024, up 9.7% on 2023 ($272,900); 21st lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $360,600).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in South Carolina?
The median home value in South Carolina was 4.1 times the median household income in 2024 ($299,500 against $72,507); 24th lowest ratio among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 4.4).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyIs rent affordable in South Carolina?
A household on the median income in South Carolina would spend 21.1% of its income on the median rent of $1,272 a month in 2024 (U.S.: 21.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow South Carolina compares with other states
Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) (2025)
South Carolina ranks 24 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross domestic product, 2025 (current dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Wisconsin | $478.8 billion |
| 22 | Missouri | $475.4 billion |
| 23 | Connecticut | $382.6 billion |
| 24 | South Carolina | $378.4 billion |
| 25 | Oregon | $343.2 billion |
| 26 | Louisiana | $342.3 billion |
| 27 | Alabama | $339.0 billion |
GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) (2025)
South Carolina ranks 45 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | GDP per resident, 2025 (BEA GDP / Census population) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | New Mexico | $71,569 |
| 43 | Montana | $70,713 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $68,065 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $67,929 |
| 46 | Idaho | $67,695 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $66,523 |
| 48 | Alabama | $65,286 |
Real GDP growth, 2025 (2025)
South Carolina ranks 4 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 5.1% |
| 2 | Alaska | 4.7% |
| 3 | California | 3.5% |
| 4 | South Carolina | 3.3% |
| 5 | Washington | 3.2% |
| 6 | Idaho | 3.1% |
| 7 | Kentucky | 3.0% |
Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) (2026:Q2)
South Carolina ranks 2 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real GDP growth, 2026:Q2 (annual rate) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 4.0% |
| 2 | South Carolina | 3.5% |
| 3 | Delaware | 3.5% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 3.4% |
| 5 | Utah | 3.4% |
| 6 | Georgia | 3.1% |
| 7 | Florida | 3.0% |
Personal income per person, 2025 (2025)
South Carolina ranks 45 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Personal income per person, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Georgia | $65,111 |
| 43 | Idaho | $64,200 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $64,103 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $63,435 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $62,089 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $61,697 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $60,835 |
Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 45 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real personal income per person, 2024 (adjusted for local prices, 2017 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Georgia | $52,952 |
| 43 | Arizona | $52,890 |
| 44 | Idaho | $52,816 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $52,463 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $52,290 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $52,272 |
| 48 | Alabama | $52,216 |
Median household income, 2024 (ACS) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 39 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median household income, 2024 (ACS) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Montana | $75,340 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $73,958 |
| 38 | Michigan | $72,389 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $72,350 |
| 40 | Ohio | $72,212 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $71,997 |
| 42 | Indiana | $71,959 |
Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 33 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Regional price parity, 2024 (US = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Montana | 94.6 |
| 31 | North Carolina | 94.3 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | 94.1 |
| 33 | South Carolina | 93.7 |
| 34 | Indiana | 93.3 |
| 35 | Ohio | 92.8 |
| 36 | Wyoming | 92.7 |
Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) (September 2026)
South Carolina ranks 22 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, September 2026 (seasonally adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | New Jersey | 4.2% |
| 20 | Oklahoma | 4.2% |
| 21 | Colorado | 4.1% |
| 22 | South Carolina | 4.0% |
| 23 | Louisiana | 4.0% |
| 24 | West Virginia | 4.0% |
| 25 | Maryland | 3.9% |
Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average (2025)
South Carolina ranks 14 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, 2025 annual average |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Ohio | 4.6% |
| 12 | Kentucky | 4.6% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 4.5% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 4.5% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 4.5% |
| 16 | New York | 4.3% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 4.3% |
Labor force participation rate, September 2026 (September 2026)
South Carolina ranks 40 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labor force participation rate, September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Arizona | 59.7% |
| 38 | Tennessee | 59.3% |
| 39 | Arkansas | 59.1% |
| 40 | South Carolina | 58.8% |
| 41 | Michigan | 58.5% |
| 42 | Maine | 58.5% |
| 43 | Louisiana | 58.3% |
Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) (2025)
South Carolina ranks 37 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average annual pay, 2025 (QCEW) |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Maine | $65,787 |
| 35 | Indiana | $65,067 |
| 36 | Alabama | $64,479 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $63,728 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $63,535 |
| 39 | Iowa | $63,469 |
| 40 | Kansas | $63,212 |
Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) (May 2025)
South Carolina ranks 45 of 51, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Median annual wage, all occupations, May 2025 (OEWS) |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | New Mexico | $47,210 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $47,080 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $46,920 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $46,490 |
| 46 | Alabama | $45,670 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $45,600 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $45,520 |
Median household income (2024)
South Carolina ranks 38 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau SAIPE model estimates
| Rank | Region | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Montana | $75,520 |
| 36 | Kansas | $75,402 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $74,055 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $72,507 |
| 39 | Michigan | $72,336 |
| 40 | Ohio | $72,259 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $72,007 |
Median gross rent (monthly) (2024)
South Carolina ranks 29 of 51, highest first. Renter-occupied units paying cash rent
| Rank | Region | Median gross rent (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Vermont | $1,319 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $1,291 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $1,284 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $1,272 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $1,252 |
| 31 | Maine | $1,210 |
| 32 | Montana | $1,177 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2024)
South Carolina ranks 31 of 51, highest first. Owner-reported value
| Rank | Region | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | North Carolina | $333,000 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $332,600 |
| 30 | Texas | $313,200 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $299,500 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $294,700 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $289,600 |
| 34 | Illinois | $280,700 |
More on South Carolina: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2024 (ACSBR-025), Appendix Table 1: median household income and Gini index by state, 2023 and 2024 American Community Survey, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5de1b0d5ec46…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SASUMMARY: State annual summary statistics: personal income, GDP, consumer spending, price indexes, and employment (updated 30 September 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a3757d207c05…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SAGDP: Annual GDP by state, 1997-2025 (table SAGDP2, GDP in current dollars by industry), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d3c5bc7bd24…)
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: SQGDP: Quarterly GDP by state, 2005-2026 Q2 (table SQGDP11, percent change in real GDP at annual rate), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1649260cdceb…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, monthly, seasonally adjusted, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7bb6f18d4145…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Local Area Unemployment Statistics: employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population, states, annual averages 1976-2025, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 262aba7d00df…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (state_M2025_dl.xlsx), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 74d5be0e1df8…)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages, all industries (open data CSV slice), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5a5f89142aae…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median gross rent (B25064), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8624f9775add…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Median value of owner-occupied homes (B25077), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 27120d5d8a5f…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): 2024 poverty and median household income, states and counties, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 cb52c47d75c1…)
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