Cost of Living in South Carolina

(Last Updated – November 4, 2024)

The cost of living in South Carolina is lower compared to many other parts of the country. It’s no wonder the state has one of the country’s highest influxes of new residents moving in. With coastal beaches in the east and mountain peaks in the west, South Carolina definitely has lots of reasons for its booming popularity. If you’re thinking about moving to South Carolina, find out what to expect for a variety of living costs.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in South Carolina?

Average Cost of Living in South Carolina: $46,220 per year

South Carolina is the 27th cheapest state to live in, according to Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC ) data gathered in 2024. It’s slightly less expensive than its neighbor North Carolina. On the MERIC index, 100 represents the average cost of living across the U.S.; South Carolina scores a 95.5, indicating it is below average.

The annual average cost of living in South Carolina is $46,220, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data from 2022. That comes to just over $3,851 per month and can be broken down into the following spending categories:

Housing Costs in South Carolina

Average Housing Costs in South Carolina: $1,008 to $1,864 per month

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, South Carolina has over 2.4 million housing units as of 2023. And data from Zillow estimates the state’s typical home value to be just shy of $300,000 — so you likely won’t need a jumbo loan for buying a regular house in most parts of the state. But the amount you can expect to pay each month does vary depending on whether you purchase your property with a home loan or rent an apartment or house.

Here is what to expect in terms of housing cost of living in South Carolina per month, based on median prices for different living situations.

•  Studio rent: $1,017

•  1-bedroom rent: $1,008

•  2-bedroom rent: $1,018

•  3-bedroom rent: $1,134

•  4-bedroom rent: $1,376

•  5-bedroom rent: $1,864

•   Median gross rent: $1,084

Wondering how buying your first home in South Carolina stacks up against other areas? Here’s the typical home price in 10 major U.S. cities to see how the Palmetto State compares to the cost of living in other areas of the U.S. (Spoiler alert: South Carolina is the cheapest out of all these areas).

Utility Costs in South Carolina

Average Utility Costs in South Carolina: $383.87

When combined all together, utilities can account for a large percentage of your cost of living each month. Here’s how expenses break down for each category.

Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration , Electric Sales, Revenue, and Average Price, 2022; Statista; DoxoInsights , U.S. Cable & Internet Market Size and Household Spending Report 2023; Rentcafe.com,What Is the Average Water Bill? June 2024.

Groceries & Food

Average Grocery & Food Costs in South Carolina: $1,401 per month

How much can you expect to spend on food each month in South Carolina? Without counting going out to eat, the average family of four spends $1,401 each month, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Consequently, the average monthly expense for one person would be around $350 for food and groceries.

Grocery costs vary among individual communities in South Carolina. Here’s how four major population centers stack up against an index of 100. As noted above, the index is the state average; numbers over 100 are more expensive than other areas of the state, while lower scores are less expensive.

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in South Carolina: $10,477 to $17,554 per year

Transportation is an important cost to factor into your budget, whether you live in one of South Carolina’s bigger cities like Charleston and Columbia, or in more rural areas like Calhoun and Greenville Counties. This 2024 data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator gives you a sense of average transportation costs each year based on family size.

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in South Carolina: $6,677 per year

South Carolina residents can expect to pay $6,677 per person each year for health care costs. That’s nearly 20% lower than the national average of $8,331, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. When you’re looking at the best afforable places in the U.S., South Carolina definitely stands out for health care costs.

Here’s how annual medical expenses vary by family size, according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in South Carolina: $741 to $1,138 more per month and per child

According to CostofChildCare.org , you can plan to pay anywhere between $741 and $1,138 per month for each child. Costs are highest for infants and tend to drop once your child is old enough to enter a toddler or preschool classroom. Home-based family care is the most expensive option after infant classroom care.

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in South Carolina: 6.4%

Like slightly more than half the states, South Carolina has a graduated-rate income tax. The highest earners in the state pay 6.4% in income tax, according to the Tax Foundation . That tax rate is in addition to federal income tax.

For comparison, California has the highest state income tax bracket of 13.3%, while states such as Texas, Florida, and Nevada don’t have any income tax at all.

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Miscellaneous Costs

Average Miscellaneous Costs in South Carolina: $24,932 per year

The Bureau of Economic Analysis places a nearly $25,000 price tag on “other personal expenditures” for South Carolinians. But that can vary a lot depending on your hobbies and interests. Hiking, for instance, is much cheaper than golfing.

Here are some example costs for popular attractions throughout the state of South Carolina (costs are as of September 2024):

•  Beach access: $0 when you go to one of the several free public beach parks in Hilton Head

•  A round of golf: Starts at $305 for a Sunday tee time at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort

•  Hiking around the Blue Ridge Mountains: Climb to the Blue Ridge Escarpment at Caesars Head State Park with trail access fees ranging from $1 to $3

•  White water rafting: A guided white water rafting tour starts at $59.95 per person.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in South Carolina?

The amount of money you need based on the cost of living in South Carolina depends on factors such as your lifestyle and family size. According to U.S. News & World Report’s Affordability Rankings , South Carolina ranks #21 for overall affordability and #23 for cost of living. That places it directly between Wisconsin and Michigan, so if you prefer milder weather, South Carolina is a solid bet for affordable living. Plus, the state is home to both the Atlantic Coast and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and you’ll be conveniently situated for plenty of East Coast travel opportunities. Remember that if you might qualify as a first-time homebuyer, you may be eligible for special mortgage programs in the state.

What City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in South Carolina?

The cost of living in South Carolina varies depending on what area you settle down in. Here are three of the more affordable areas that aren’t too rural, based on 2024 data from the Council for Community and Economic Research’s Cost of Living Index.

Aiken

Located in the western portion of the state, Aiken has a cost of living index score of just 83.7, making living expenses well below the national average. Although it’s considered a suburb of Augusta, there are lots of outdoors activities in Aiken, including Hitchcock Woods — one of the country’s largest urban forests.

Employment industries include energy, banking, transportation, and health care. Some of the largest employers in the area are Savannah Riversite, SRP Federal Credit Union, Bridgestone, UPS Customs Brokerage, and Medac.

According to Zillow, the average home value in Aiken is $258,917 and has increased almost 2% since the previous year.

Columbia

Centrally located in South Carolina, Columbia scores 92 on the cost of living index. The newly revitalized downtown area hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year and is home to the Soda City Market. As the state capital, the government is the city’s largest employer, followed by health and insurance companies, the University of South Carolina, and the U.S. Department of the Army.

This economic growth is reflected in growing property values. Columbia’s average home value is around $230,000, based on Zillow data. While that’s lower than Aiken, the annual increase is over 4%, indicating a strong potential for Columbia’s future growth in home values.

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Spartanburg

Spartanburg is another top affordable city, located in the state’s northwest corner with a cost of living index score of 92.1. While it’s just over an hour away from both Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina, there’s also plenty to do at home in Spartanburg. The BMW Zentrum Museum in nearby Greer is perfect for auto enthusiasts, while nature lovers will appreciate the trails at Croft State Park.

Major area employers include BMW Manufacturing Co., Clemson University, Greenville County Schools, and Michelin. Home values average $221,000 and have increased in recent months.

Helpful Resources for Future South Carolina Residents