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Cost of living in South Carolina

Everyday prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the US average, the 19th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

South Carolina cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

South Carolina next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
South CarolinaUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is South Carolina?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$82,320
Typical household incomeA year · 35th highest of 51
20%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,338/mo) against median income ($82,320). 25th lowest of 51.
4.4
Years of income to buy a home$359,945 median listing against $82,320 income. 18th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to South Carolina?

66,622 more people moved to South Carolina from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in South Carolina

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Spartanburg, SC9% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,148
    Typical home
    $304,950
    Mortgage
    $1,676/mo
  2. 2Greenville, SC7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,279
    Typical home
    $382,450
    Mortgage
    $2,102/mo
  3. 3Myrtle Beach, SC6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,383
    Typical home
    $315,000
    Mortgage
    $1,731/mo
  4. 4Columbia, SC6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,314
    Typical home
    $299,763
    Mortgage
    $1,647/mo
  5. 5Charleston, SC1% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,817
    Typical home
    $479,450
    Mortgage
    $2,635/mo

South Carolina next to its neighbors

The states that border South Carolina, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 19South CarolinaThis state6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,338
    Typical home
    $359,945
    Net moves
    +66,622
  2. 21North Carolina6% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,346
    Typical home
    $400,000
    Net moves
    +84,064
  3. 25Georgia4% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,524
    Typical home
    $389,750
    Net moves
    +27,333

South Carolina by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

South Carolina next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
South Carolina93.780.5$359,945$1,978$1,338
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

South Carolina cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Columbia$299,763$1,647$1,31493.7
Spartanburg$304,950$1,676$1,14891.1
Myrtle Beach$315,000$1,731$1,38393.6
Greenville$382,450$2,102$1,27993.3
Charleston$479,450$2,635$1,817101.0

Metro areas in South Carolina

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Spartanburg, SC91.1$1,148$304,950
Greenville, SC93.3$1,279$382,450
Myrtle Beach, SC93.6$1,383$315,000
Columbia, SC93.7$1,314$299,763
Charleston, SC101.0$1,817$479,450

South Carolina next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
South Carolina93.7$1,338$359,945+66,622
Georgia96.3$1,524$389,750+27,333
North Carolina94.3$1,346$400,000+84,064

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20+53,671
2020-21+68,406
2021-22+83,341
2022-23+79,536
2023-24+66,367
2024-25+66,622

States with a similar cost of living to South Carolina

Keep comparing

South Carolina cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in South Carolina?

Everyday prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the US average, the 19th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 80.5 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $359,945 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $1,978 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,338 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $124,929 in South Carolina.

Is South Carolina cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. South Carolina's regional price parity is 93.7, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 6.3% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in South Carolina?

The median listed home in South Carolina is $359,945 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 18th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $1,978 a month.

How much is rent in South Carolina?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in South Carolina is $1,338 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in South Carolina equals $150,000 in New York?

About $124,929, using BEA regional price parities for South Carolina (93.7) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to South Carolina?

66,622 more people moved to South Carolina from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which South Carolina cities do you cover?

Columbia ($299,763), Spartanburg ($304,950), Myrtle Beach ($315,000), Greenville ($382,450), Charleston ($479,450). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
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