Cost of Living in South Carolina

Avg Index: 87

62 cities · Updated March 2026

$1,255
Avg Rent / Month
$71,850
Avg Income
$277,930
Avg Home Value
87
Avg Cost Index
6.4%
Income Tax
6.0%
Sales Tax
Cheapest in South Carolina
Greenwood
Index: 51 · Rent: $826/mo
Most Expensive in South Carolina
Mount Pleasant
Index: 168 · Rent: $2,026/mo

South Carolina Cost of Living Overview

South Carolina is significantly more affordable than the national average, with a state-wide cost index of 87. The average monthly rent across South Carolina cities is $1,255, with median household incomes averaging $71,850 per year. The cheapest city is Greenwood (index 51) and the most expensive is Mount Pleasant (index 168).

South Carolina has a moderate tax environment with a 6.4% top income tax rate, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% effective property tax rate.

All 62 Cities in South Carolina — Ranked by Cost

Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)

#CityCost Index RentIncomeHome ValuePopulation
1 Greenwood 51 $826/mo $40,253 $123,400 22,527
2 Orangeburg 51 $765/mo $33,066 $145,000 13,189
3 Gaffney 52 $822/mo $41,214 $141,100 12,612
4 Newberry 52 $837/mo $47,885 $124,600 10,733
5 Parker 61 $1,066/mo $38,607 $121,800 12,564
6 Gantt 62 $1,021/mo $47,265 $156,200 15,057
7 Florence 64 $922/mo $56,433 $189,800 40,205
8 St. Andrews 64 $1,060/mo $45,321 $146,700 20,953
9 Anderson 66 $965/mo $44,321 $199,600 29,563
10 Berea 67 $1,032/mo $48,104 $187,200 16,642
11 Conway 68 $881/mo $54,841 $236,300 26,082
12 Oak Grove 68 $988/mo $75,506 $195,700 12,031
13 Spartanburg 68 $1,043/mo $51,193 $185,300 38,578
14 Sumter 68 $1,055/mo $53,071 $188,400 43,065
15 Dentsville 69 $1,145/mo $44,029 $154,600 15,396
16 Easley 69 $903/mo $65,330 $243,100 23,942
17 Red Bank 69 $1,141/mo $60,348 $176,200 10,950
18 West Columbia 70 $1,092/mo $54,152 $186,200 17,723
19 Red Hill 71 $1,078/mo $62,132 $223,900 16,480
20 Cayce 73 $1,358/mo $58,095 $158,900 13,718
21 North Augusta 74 $1,080/mo $90,132 $220,500 24,928
22 Seven Oaks 75 $1,185/mo $64,003 $195,900 15,990
23 Garden 78 $1,382/mo $50,027 $194,100 10,820
24 Socastee 78 $1,244/mo $59,826 $218,200 24,629
25 Fountain Inn 79 $1,072/mo $72,021 $255,400 11,307
26 Columbia 80 $1,158/mo $55,653 $243,500 138,019
27 Aiken 81 $1,199/mo $69,837 $261,800 32,334
28 Wade Hampton 81 $1,064/mo $75,522 $293,300 20,703
29 Irmo 82 $1,412/mo $85,137 $193,100 11,799
30 Taylors 82 $1,260/mo $71,747 $242,700 23,686
31 Boiling Springs 83 $1,267/mo $79,798 $230,000 12,609
32 Forest Acres 83 $1,182/mo $76,417 $260,500 10,491
33 Greer 83 $1,144/mo $80,030 $264,300 39,191
34 Beaufort 84 $1,061/mo $59,454 $310,400 13,660
35 Clemson 85 $972/mo $49,713 $359,100 17,759
36 Rock Hill 88 $1,279/mo $64,770 $267,400 74,769
37 Mauldin 89 $1,401/mo $81,027 $242,100 25,985
38 Myrtle Beach 89 $1,132/mo $53,679 $347,700 37,214
39 Simpsonville 89 $1,322/mo $79,233 $267,500 25,125
40 Ladson 90 $1,517/mo $83,031 $222,100 16,261
41 Little River 91 $1,531/mo $64,590 $267,800 10,457
42 North Charleston 91 $1,364/mo $62,789 $267,700 117,460
43 Lexington 92 $1,360/mo $83,263 $271,200 24,132
44 Powdersville 92 $1,231/mo $88,125 $318,600 11,321
45 North Myrtle Beach 93 $1,171/mo $72,111 $371,900 19,343
46 Moncks Corner 94 $1,203/mo $91,516 $312,800 14,362
47 Summerville 97 $1,414/mo $78,621 $295,700 51,262
48 Hanahan 101 $1,324/mo $84,061 $339,800 21,119
49 Carolina Forest 102 $1,567/mo $70,647 $298,700 26,373
50 Goose Creek 102 $1,611/mo $87,437 $279,500 46,964
51 Port Royal 106 $1,606/mo $70,330 $298,000 15,047
52 Murrells Inlet 108 $1,702/mo $75,438 $355,800 10,087
53 Greenville 109 $1,248/mo $68,460 $453,300 71,755
54 Fort Mill 122 $1,437/mo $127,537 $457,000 28,281
55 James Island 122 $1,443/mo $100,176 $454,200 11,738
56 Lake Wylie 124 $1,517/mo $112,113 $464,200 15,177
57 Charleston 128 $1,632/mo $90,038 $469,100 152,014
58 Tega Cay 128 $1,307/mo $141,037 $494,500 13,267
59 Five Forks 140 $2,139/mo $140,668 $424,600 19,093
60 Hilton Head Island 142 $1,518/mo $96,715 $652,100 37,805
61 Bluffton 144 $2,187/mo $105,463 $444,500 31,323
62 Mount Pleasant 168 $2,026/mo $121,364 $667,100 92,662

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about cost of living in South Carolina

What is the cost of living in South Carolina?
The average cost of living index across 62 cities in South Carolina is 87 (US average = 100). Average rent is $1,255/month and median household income averages $71,850/year.
What is the cheapest city in South Carolina?
The cheapest city in South Carolina is Greenwood with a cost index of 51, median rent of $826/month, and median income of $40,253/year.
What is the most expensive city in South Carolina?
The most expensive city in South Carolina is Mount Pleasant with a cost index of 168, median rent of $2,026/month, and median income of $121,364/year.
What are taxes like in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a top income tax rate of 6.4%, a sales tax of 6.0%, and an effective property tax rate of 0.57%.
How many cities does CostToLive cover in South Carolina?
We track cost of living data for 62 cities in South Carolina with populations of 10,000 or more, using US Census Bureau ACS 2023 data.