North Carolina vs South Carolina
North Carolina comes out ahead of South Carolina on 476 of 810 statistics where one end is better, to 313 with 21 ties. North Carolina leads on Travel, Law and Sports and 12 more categories.
810 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 21 ties. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 476
- Avg. percentile
- 49
- Categories led
- 15
- Wins
- 313
- Avg. percentile
- 42
- Categories led
- 0
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US states.
| Statistic | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,343,875 9th of 51 | 5,650,232 23rd of 51 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $72,388 38th of 51 | $69,324 43rd of 51 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by State (BLS) | 3.8% tied 20th of 51 | 4.5% tied 37th of 51 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | 13.0% 35th of 51 | 14.1% 42nd of 51 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by State (Regional Price Parities) | 94.3 21st of 51 | 93.7 19th of 51 |
| Real Personal Income per Person (2017 Dollars)Real Personal Income by State | $56,310 33rd of 51 | $52,463 45th of 51 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by State (BLS) | $64,290 29th of 51 | $59,280 43rd of 51 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by State (Census) | $1,228 25th of 51 | $1,180 22nd of 51 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by State (FBI) | 330.3 30th of 51 | 387.6 38th of 51 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by State (1991–2020 Averages) | 3,359 10th of 48 | 2,586 6th of 48 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- TravelNorth Carolina · 28 statistics
- LawNorth Carolina · 67 statistics
- SportsNorth Carolina · 17 statistics
- GeographyNorth Carolina · 25 statistics
- Crime & SafetyNorth Carolina · 74 statistics
- CultureNorth Carolina · 79 statistics
- PopulationNorth Carolina · 125 statistics
- HealthNorth Carolina · 189 statistics
- Infrastructure & EnergyNorth Carolina · 36 statistics
- EducationNorth Carolina · 51 statistics
- Facts & TriviaNorth Carolina · 18 statistics
- Politics & GovernmentNorth Carolina · 124 statistics
- EconomicsNorth Carolina · 294 statistics
- AgricultureNorth Carolina · 17 statistics
- Tech & BusinessNorth Carolina · 47 statistics
- EnvironmentEven · 40 statistics
Biggest differences
The 30 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 26 US states.
| Statistic | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean WageOptometrist Salary by State | $156,110 2nd of 47 | $101,480 46th of 47 |
| Hourly Mean WageOptometrist Salary by State | $75.05 2nd of 47 | $48.79 46th of 47 |
| % of Personal Income Coming from Child SupportChild Support Percentage by State | 19.2% 3rd of 51 | 8.5% 49th of 51 |
| Avg. Amount Received in Child SupportChild Support Percentage by State | $9,167 4th of 51 | $3,234 50th of 51 |
| Maximum CostBreast Augmentation Cost by State | $7,000 tied 2nd of 50 | $14,000 49th of 50 |
| Anxiety RateMental Health Statistics by State | 6,606 per 100k 1st of 51 | 7,712 per 100k 45th of 51 |
| Maximum CostLiposuction Limits by State | $8,000 tied 2nd of 50 | $20,000 tied last of 50 |
| Fuel Prices (1-10)Best States for Camping | 4.27 3rd of 49 | 9.37 42nd of 49 |
| Hourly Median WageDentist Salary by State | $87.30 8th of 39 | $61.17 38th of 39 |
| Accidents Per National Park (1-10)Best States for Camping | 6.62 3rd of 49 | 9.96 tied 40th of 49 |
| Crimes Per National Park (1-10)Best States for Camping | 6.94 6th of 49 | 9.82 43rd of 49 |
| Annual Median WageOptometrist Salary by State | $135,250 tied 8th of 47 | $98,460 43rd of 47 |
| Hourly Median WageOptometrist Salary by State | $65.03 tied 8th of 47 | $47.34 43rd of 47 |
| Annual Mean WageDentist Salary by State | $202,550 3rd of 39 | $161,210 31st of 39 |
| Hourly Mean WageDentist Salary by State | $97.38 3rd of 39 | $77.51 31st of 39 |
| Governor's SalaryGovernor Salary by State | $203,073 11th of 50 | $106,078 46th of 50 |
| Final ScoreArthritis Friendly States | 81 14th of 51 | 38 tied 49th of 51 |
| Registration FeeCar Registration Fees by State | $370 44th of 50 | $40.00 tied 9th of 50 |
| 5 Year Income % ChangeLawyer-Friendly States | 9.87% 15th of 48 | -7.42% 48th of 48 |
| Exp. Physical Violence in Lifetime - WomenDomestic Violence by State | 47.7% 44th of 51 | 35.5% 9th of 51 |
| Total ScoreBest States for Hiking | 66 15th of 50 | 2 tied last of 50 |
| Crime Cost per CapitaMost Dangerous Cities by State | $381 6th of 45 | $1,562 36th of 45 |
| Health Racial Progress RankLeast Racist States | 8th 8th of 47 | 39th 39th of 47 |
| AccessibilityBest States for Hiking | 7 tied 8th of 50 | 3 tied 47th of 50 |
| 1996-2022 Change Adjusted For InflationTANF Benefits by State | -45.0% tied 4th of 48 | -11.0% 41st of 48 |
| EducationBest States to Live In | 10th 9th of 49 | 42nd 41st of 49 |
| Experience RatingBest States for Hiking | 7.1 15th of 50 | 1.9 tied 46th of 50 |
| Drivers License CostDriver's License Cost by State | $40.00 tied 34th of 50 | $12.50 3rd of 50 |
| Trail DiversityBest States for Hiking | 8 tied 7th of 50 | 4 tied 40th of 50 |
| Exp. Sexual Violence in Lifetime - WomenDomestic Violence by State | 54.9% 46th of 51 | 43.2% 13th of 51 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, North Carolina or South Carolina?
- North Carolina comes out ahead of South Carolina on 476 of 810 statistics where one end is better, to 313 with 21 ties. North Carolina leads on Travel, Law and Sports and 12 more categories. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, North Carolina or South Carolina?
- North Carolina has a population of 11,343,875 (9th of 51 US states) and South Carolina has 5,650,232 (23rd of 51).
- How do North Carolina and South Carolina compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: North Carolina $72,388 (38th of 51), South Carolina $69,324 (43rd of 51) among US states. North Carolina ranks better.
- How do North Carolina and South Carolina compare on Unemployment Rate (%)?
- Unemployment Rate (%): North Carolina 3.8% (tied 20th of 51), South Carolina 4.5% (tied 37th of 51) among US states. North Carolina ranks better.
- Where does North Carolina beat South Carolina most clearly?
- North Carolina ranks far ahead on Annual Mean Wage (Optometrist Salary by State): $156,110 vs $101,480; Hourly Mean Wage (Optometrist Salary by State): $75.05 vs $48.79; % of Personal Income Coming from Child Support (Child Support Percentage by State): 19.2% vs 8.5%.
- Where does South Carolina beat North Carolina most clearly?
- South Carolina ranks far ahead on Registration Fee (Car Registration Fees by State): $40.00 vs $370; Exp. Physical Violence in Lifetime - Women (Domestic Violence by State): 35.5% vs 47.7%; Drivers License Cost (Driver's License Cost by State): $12.50 vs $40.00.
More matchups
Other comparisons with North Carolina or South Carolina.
- Alabama vs North Carolina
- Alaska vs North Carolina
- Arizona vs North Carolina
- Arkansas vs North Carolina
- California vs North Carolina
- Colorado vs North Carolina
- Connecticut vs North Carolina
- Delaware vs North Carolina
- Alabama vs South Carolina
- Alaska vs South Carolina
- Arizona vs South Carolina
- Arkansas vs South Carolina
- California vs South Carolina
- Colorado vs South Carolina
- Connecticut vs South Carolina
- Delaware vs South Carolina