Cost of Living in South Carolina
Based on 3 cities we track in South Carolina.
Cost of living in South Carolina is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,113 a month — about the same as the $1,076 median across the 51 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $68,460, about the same as the $66,029 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
$1,113
Median Home Value
$453,300
Median Income
$68,460
Avg Temperature
64.9°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 on the pricier side of the 51 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,113 ranks #23 of 51 and is about the same as the $1,076 median.
- What is the average rent in South Carolina?
- Across the 3 cities we track in South Carolina, average rent runs a studio around $1,175, a one-bedroom around $1,113, a two-bedroom around $1,325, a three-bedroom around $1,550 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 $453,300 — 68% higher than the $270,100 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 $1,113 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in South Carolina is $68,460.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).