What it actually costs to live in South Carolina.
South Carolina’s cost-of-living index sits at 95 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in South Carolina costs about 5% LESS than the US average. Median home price: $345,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,399/mo.
South Carolina cost components
| Component | South Carolina | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 95 | 100 |
| Median home price | $345,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,399/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $192/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How South Carolina compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, South Carolina ranks #33 for cost. That places South Carolina in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
South Carolina metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Charleston has very different housing dynamics than smaller South Carolina metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
- CharlestonCOL 113 · home $430,000rent $1,917/mo →
- ColumbiaCOL 89 · home $230,000rent $1,050/mo →
- GreenvilleCOL 96 · home $295,000rent $1,300/mo →
- Myrtle BeachCOL 96 · home $295,000rent $1,350/mo →
- Rock HillCOL 91 · home $285,000rent $1,200/mo →
- North CharlestonCOL 95 · home $295,000rent $1,300/mo →
More South Carolina metros coming as we expand city coverage.
South Carolina cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in South Carolina?
South Carolina's MERIC cost-of-living index is 95 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in South Carolina costs about 5% less than the US average.
What is the median home price in South Carolina?
South Carolina's state-level median home price is approximately $345,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in South Carolina?
South Carolina's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,399/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any South Carolina-specific cost-of-living quirks?
SC COL index ~95; Charleston/Mt. Pleasant median home prices have surged past $700k in some submarkets; Hilton Head/Bluffton retiree market driving 50%+ appreciation since 2020.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.