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Talk to a Specialist →The property tax shock (in reverse)
New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the United States — effective rates well over 2%, with average bills running many thousands of dollars even on modest homes. South Carolina's statewide effective rate is around 0.5%, and once you file the 4% owner-occupied ratio and the over-65 homestead exemption, the bill on a $375,000 Midlands home often lands under $1,500 a year. For many New Jersey movers this single line falls by an order of magnitude.
| New Jersey | Columbia / SC Midlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax (effective) | ~2.2%+ (highest in US) | ~0.5% |
| Social Security | Not taxed | Not taxed |
| Estate tax | None (repealed 2018) | None |
| Inheritance tax | Yes (non-lineal heirs) | None |
| Top income rate | 10.75% | 6% |
The inheritance-tax angle people miss
New Jersey repealed its estate tax in 2018 — but it still levies an inheritance tax on bequests to non-lineal heirs (siblings, nieces, nephews, friends). South Carolina has neither. If your estate plan leaves assets to anyone outside the direct line, becoming a South Carolina resident can matter for your heirs in a way no "tax-friendly states" list will show you.
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Income tax: a real cut, not a wash
New Jersey's income tax tops out at 10.75%; South Carolina's top rate is 6%, and at 65+ you can shelter up to $15,000 per person of retirement income on top of exempt Social Security. New Jersey does have a generous retirement income exclusion for many retirees, so run your own numbers — but for higher-income retirees the SC rate is a clear improvement. Details in the SC retirement tax guide.
Where New Jersey retirees tend to land
Lower-maintenance value communities like Cross Creek and Hulon Greene are natural fits for buyers coming from a high-cost state and watching the all-in number. Compare them in the total-cost guide.
Sources: New Jersey Division of Taxation; South Carolina Department of Revenue; Tax Foundation property-tax data. General information, not tax advice — confirm your specifics with a professional.