South Carolina ranks 6th of 50 in the 2026 Federalism Scorecard, with a score of 42.45.
South Carolina Rankings at a Glance
Rank: 6th of 50
Score: 42.45
2025: 5th, 40.69
Change: down one place, +1.76 points
National median: 12.88
How South Carolina Compares to Its Neighbors
South Carolina's two bordering states, Georgia (23rd, 13.50) and North Carolina (25th, 13.25), average 13.38 — South Carolina outscores both by more than three times. The South's median is 14.32, the second-highest of the four regions, but South Carolina sits well above it while its immediate neighbors sit just below.
