Moving from Erie County, NY, to Anderson County, SC, was a leap of faith for our family. Everyone told us we’d save money, but we needed to see the receipts.
We took the time to do a month-by-month, line-by-line comparison of our old New York bills versus our new South Carolina expenses. Below is our honest breakdown—the massive savings, the surprising new costs, and what you need to prepare for when you make the swap!
The Biggest Win: Housing & Property Taxes
If you’re moving for financial relief, this is the category that makes the entire transition worth it. The difference in property tax alone is jaw-dropping.
| Category | Our Old Cost (NYS) | Our New Cost (SC) | The Reality Check |
| Median Home Price | $250,000 – $300,000 | $220,000 – $270,000 | Even with a comparable purchase price, your monthly payment is vastly different. |
| Property Tax Rate | 2.5% – 3.5% of Home Value | 0.5% – 0.7% of Home Value | This is where you win big. South Carolina’s 4% “primary residence” tax rate (thanks to the Homestead Exemption) fundamentally changes home ownership for the better. |
Kain Family Takeaway: The lower property tax bill is the single biggest driver of financial savings in South Carolina. That savings immediately improves your cash flow and makes homeownership here genuinely less stressful, and offers the ability to buy a boat 😉
The Great Utility Trade-Off
We essentially traded one high bill for another. Our heating costs are gone, but air conditioning has become our new necessary expense.
| Category | Our Old Cost (NYS/Erie) | Our New Cost (SC/Anderson) | The Reality Check |
| Gas / Heating (Monthly Avg.) | $250.00 | $8.00 | Goodbye, brutal winter heating bills! This is a dramatic drop and a huge relief. |
| Electric / Cooling (Monthly Avg.) | $125.00 | $200.00 | Prepare for a higher electric bill. Our A/C runs hard from May through September. You trade the furnace cost for the A/C cost. |
| Trash/Recycling | $50.00 | $0 (Free Dump/Recycling) | We were pleasantly surprised that our county offers a free dump/recycling center close by. If you choose private pickup, expect to pay, but we cut this cost completely. |
Kain Family Takeaway: We happily make the A/C trade. We’d rather pay to be comfortable in the heat than pay to fight the cold, and the overall net effect on utilities is a clear win.
Transportation: The Hidden SC Car Tax
Everyone knows gas is cheaper in the South, but a lot of NY transplants get blindsided by the annual vehicle fees. Be prepared for this!
| Category | Our Old Cost (NYS) | Our New Cost (SC) | The Reality Check |
| Fuel Price (Per Gallon) | $3.18 (when we left) | Averaging $2.60 | You’ll save on gas consistently, primarily due to lower state taxes. |
| Annual State Fees | ~$100 (Registration/Inspection) | Varies (Registration + Property Taxes) | SC charges an annual Vehicle Property Tax (VRT) based on the value of your car. This is a separate, unexpected bill if you’re used to NY’s low-fee structure |
Kain Family Takeaway: Yes, gas is cheaper, but you need to budget for the annual VRT bill—it can be a few hundred dollars depending on your car’s age and value. Set aside money for this yearly payment!
Groceries & General Sales Tax
Day-to-day spending is very comparable, but South Carolina does offer one major tax relief when it comes to big purchases.
| Category | Our Old Cost (NYS) | Our New Cost (SC) | The Reality Check |
| Grocery Costs (Monthly) | $600 – $900 | $550 – $800 | Prices are slightly lower, but the biggest difference is what’s available—get ready for more local produce and amazing, cheap seafood! |
| Sales Tax (Total) | 8% – 8.75% | 7% – 8% | The total sales tax rate is similar, but SC has a $50 sales tax cap on vehicles. If you buy a new car, you’re saving thousands of dollars instantly compared to NY’s unlimited sales tax. |
Final Verdict: Our Financial Confidence is Higher
While you have to be ready for the VRT and the summer electric bills, the overall quality of life and the immense savings on our most significant expense—housing—has been a complete game-changer. We’ve replaced unavoidable costs (high property taxes, high heating bills) with manageable or avoidable ones (A/C, VRT, optional trash pickup).
If you’re considering the move, the math definitely checks out. The real cost of living swap is a net positive, giving us the financial freedom to truly enjoy the beautiful Palmetto State.
Disclaimer: All costs are based on our personal family experience in Erie County, NY, and Anderson County, SC, and are subject to change based on utility usage, home size, and specific location.