Cost of Living in South Carolina
Based on 1 city we track in South Carolina.
Cost of living in South Carolina is shaped mostly by rent across the 1 city we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,430 a month — 36% higher than the $1,052 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $90,038, 34% higher than the $67,043 median across the states we track. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,430
Median Home Value
$469,100
Median Income
$90,038
Avg Temperature
66.7°F
Medians across the South Carolina cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
6%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 6.00%
Cities in South Carolina
Compare South Carolina with
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South Carolina cost of living — FAQ
- Is South Carolina expensive to live in?
- South Carolina is among the most expensive of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,430 ranks #4 of 51 and is 36% higher than the $1,052 median.
- What is the average rent in South Carolina?
- Across the 1 city we track in South Carolina, average rent runs a studio around $1,579, a one-bedroom around $1,430, a two-bedroom around $1,684, a three-bedroom around $2,076 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in South Carolina?
- The median home value across the cities we track in South Carolina is $469,100 — 63% higher than the $287,500 median across the states we track.
- Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
- Yes — South Carolina's top state income tax rate is 6.00% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 6%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in South Carolina?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,430 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $57,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in South Carolina is $90,038.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).