Elizabeth Fernandez | Moment | Getty Images
South Carolina Score and Ranking
| CATEGORY | 2026 SCORE | 2026 RANK | 2025 RANK | 2026 GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INFRASTRUCTURE | 225 | 27 | 21 | C+ |
| ECONOMY | 286 | 6 | 10 | A- |
| WORKFORCE | 222 | 8 | 12 | B |
| QUALITY OF LIFE | 122 | 36 | 39 | D+ |
| COST OF DOING BUSINESS | 135 | 31 | 28 | C+ |
| TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION | 118 | 28 | 21 | C |
| BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS | 89 | 38 | 28 | D+ |
| ACCESS TO CAPITAL | 47 | 31 | 30 | C- |
| EDUCATION | 54 | 19 | 14 | C+ |
| COST OF LIVING | 19 | 37 | 16 | D+ |
| OVERALL | 1317 | 23 | 18 |
Economic Profile
Governor: Henry McMaster, Republican
Population: 5,570,274
GDP growth (Q1 2026): 3.20%
Unemployment rate (May 2026): 4.60%
Top corporate tax rate: 5.00%
Top individual income tax rate: 5.21%
Gasoline tax: 47.15 cents/gallon
Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aaa, Stable/AA+, Stable
Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
