How much does smoking cost in South Carolina? (2026)
$8.43
average pack in South Carolina (Jan 2026), #49 most expensive of 51. State excise $0.57 + federal $1.01.
$3,077a year for a pack a day
5.3%average yearly price rise, 2016–2026
$39,759roughly, the next 10 years at that pace
A pack a day since…
| Started | Spent (real South Carolina prices) | Same money in the S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $22,777 | $47,685 |
| 2006 | $38,449 | $148,661 |
| 1996 | $47,899 | $241,341 |
Monthly, through December 2025. S&P 500 total returns with dividends (A. Damodaran, NYU Stern). Historical illustration, not a prediction.
50+ years of pack prices in South Carolina
| 1970 | $0.34 |
| 1980 | $0.55 |
| 1990 | $1.29 |
| 2000 | $2.78 |
| 2010 | $4.71 |
| 2020 | $5.42 |
| 2026 | $8.43 |
Sources: CDC, The Tax Burden on Tobacco (1970–2019); Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2020–2026).
Join the trend
In South Carolina, 11.2% of adults smoke, down from 23.1% in 2011. 26.1% are former smokers: more people in South Carolina have quit than still smoke.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2011–2025.
All 50 states and DC · Made by a smoker, for smokers.