[Altavia]

South Carolina's 'Yankee Tax' would cost $500 for new residents who want to drive

As the pandemic shut everything down in 2020 and many moved to remote work, people realized that their high-priced urban homes weren’t affording them the quality of life they could get elsewhere.

Thousands moved from California, New York, and other traditionally expensive areas to Texas and other states with lower taxes and cheaper housing stock.

South Carolina has seen a significant influx of out-of-staters, leading the state’s legislature to take up legislation intended to make newcomers pay their fair share for infrastructure and other services.