I've had the honor of being born and raised in Alabama. Moved to Georgia/SC for 5 years then to East Tennessee (Maryville...pronounced Marvlle...

) and then to Oak Ridge which is where eye-B presently. You have Federal and State income taxes in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. SC was 8% state income tax when I lived there plus they have personal property taxes on your vehicles. Tags can be VERY expensive each year. Insurance can run you a pretty penny, too. My dad lives in SC (not far from Mikey) but while I love the state, would not live there again just for the taxes.
Tennessee has no state income taxes (but you do have 9.75% sales tax on most everything. Vehicles are a bit less). Tags and insurance are not too shabby either. When I moved from SC to TN in 1991, I took a pay cut. However, with no state income tax, I ended up breaking even.
Chip has some good information for living in NC but you still have the state income tax. If you are looking for cheap all around, Sevier County has the lowest property taxes in the state plus it's close to the Smoky mountains. Traffic can be a bit as Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are also in Sevier County. Live out in the county where property costs are less. It's where I would like to settle at some point. East Tennessee is a great place to live with all the things you are looking for. Come on down, Greg. Be dang glad to have you join us in God's country.