South Carolina ranked in the bottom 12% in new “Best States to Live” study

By Mark A. Leon

Personal finance and research analysis platform WalletHub has released its latest study (August, 2025) on the “Best States to Live In” and South Carolina came in at #44.

The methodology for this study included affordability, economy, education & health, quality of life, and safety as their categories of measurement.

Here is how South Carolina ranked in each category:

• Affordability: 9th
• Economy: 39th
• Education & Health: 42nd
• Quality of Life: 34th
• Safety: 46th
• Overall Score (out of a possible 100): 45.65

Here are the top 5 best states to live and overall score:

1. Massachusetts – 60.23
2. Idaho – 60.19
3. New Jersey – 59.81
4. Wisconsin – 59.66
5. Minnesota – 58.69

Southeast notables and ranking:

• 6. Florida – 58.51
• 22. North Carolina – 52.32
• 27. Georgia – 51.59
• 37. Kentucky – 47.53
• 40. Tennessee – 47.02
• 41. Alabama – 47.01
• 47. Mississippi – 43.53
• 49. Louisiana – 40.57

Click HERE to read and review the complete study results.

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