Cost of living in South Carolina
Statewide averages from BEA, with every metro area in the state compared.
What the numbers say
- Overall prices in South Carolina are 6.3% below the national average, the 33rd most expensive of 51 states and DC (BEA 2024).
- Within South Carolina, metro price levels run from 86.8 in Florence, SC to 101.0 in Charleston, SC (US = 100).
- Compared with the rest of the country, South Carolina has become more expensive since 2019: the index went from 91.5 to 93.7, and its rank from 43rd to 33rd most expensive. Housing in South Carolina moved most, from 74.4 to 80.5.
- After adjusting for local prices, personal income per person is $52,463 in 2017 dollars, 45th of 51 (BEA 2024).
- In South Carolina, housing (19.5% below average) and everyday costs (goods 3.7% below average, other services 1.7% below average) are both below the US level, so the gap is broad rather than just rent.
Written from this page's own figures. Price levels are for an average household basket and do not include taxes. How we calculate.
Where the money goes
Statewide price levels by category. Cities and rural areas within the state can differ a lot; see the metro table below.
In South Carolina, housing is the category furthest from the US average: 19.5% below
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
Bars to the right of the line cost more than the US average; to the left, less.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| All items | 93.7 |
| Goods | 96.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 80.5 |
| Utilities | 88.3 |
| Other services | 98.3 |
Gas prices
Regular gasoline averaged $3.86 a gallon in the Lower Atlantic region in the week of October 19, 2026, $0.42 less than the US average of $4.28. EIA does not publish a separate weekly figure for South Carolina, so this is the regional average. official
Work out your commute's gas cost
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, weekly retail gasoline prices, regular grade, including taxes.
Cheapest places to live in South Carolina
By overall prices, the cheapest of the 10 metro areas BEA measures in South Carolina are Florence, SC (86.8), Sumter, SC (88.0) and Spartanburg, SC (91.1); the most expensive is Charleston, SC (101.0). US average = 100, BEA 2024. Rural areas are not listed separately.
Florence, SC is the cheapest metro area in South Carolina (86.8); Charleston, SC the most expensive (101.0)
Overall price level, 2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| All items | |
|---|---|
| Florence, SC | 86.8 |
| Sumter, SC | 88.0 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 91.1 |
| Augusta, GA | 91.9 |
| Greenville, SC | 93.3 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 93.6 |
| Columbia, SC | 93.7 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 98.0 |
| Charleston, SC | 101.0 |
| Metro area | Overall | Housing | Goods | Utilities | Other services | Typical rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | 86.8 | 52.4 | 96.3 | 87.7 | 98.3 | $1,516 |
| Sumter, SC | 88.0 | 60.8 | 96.3 | 87.3 | 98.3 | $1,467 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 91.1 | 68.0 | 96.3 | 88.3 | 98.3 | $1,475 |
| Augusta, GA | 91.9 | 70.6 | 96.3 | 89.5 | 98.5 | $1,464 |
| Greenville, SC | 93.3 | 76.8 | 96.3 | 88.8 | 98.3 | $1,566 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 93.6 | 83.1 | 96.3 | 88.0 | 98.3 | $1,722 |
| Columbia, SC | 93.7 | 79.5 | 96.3 | 88.3 | 98.3 | $1,557 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | 97.6 | 96.6 | 89.2 | 98.2 | $1,735 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 98.0 | 101.2 | 96.3 | 88.1 | 98.3 | $1,971 |
| Charleston, SC | 101.0 | 119.8 | 96.3 | 88.2 | 98.3 | $2,037 |
Price levels: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How prices have changed since 2008
Price levels relative to the whole country in each year, not inflation.
South Carolina has become more expensive relative to the US since 2008: 92.0 then, 93.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.0 |
| 2009 | 91.0 |
| 2010 | 92.7 |
| 2011 | 93.2 |
| 2012 | 93.4 |
| 2013 | 93.3 |
| 2014 | 93.2 |
| 2015 | 93.3 |
| 2016 | 93.6 |
| 2017 | 92.8 |
| 2018 | 92.2 |
| 2019 | 91.5 |
| 2020 | 90.9 |
| 2021 | 93.6 |
| 2022 | 93.3 |
| 2023 | 93.5 |
| 2024 | 93.7 |
Goods: 96.7 in 2008, 96.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.7 |
| 2009 | 94.1 |
| 2010 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 96.1 |
| 2012 | 95.3 |
| 2013 | 96.0 |
| 2014 | 96.1 |
| 2015 | 95.1 |
| 2016 | 95.9 |
| 2017 | 95.6 |
| 2018 | 95.3 |
| 2019 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.4 |
| 2021 | 96.1 |
| 2022 | 94.5 |
| 2023 | 95.9 |
| 2024 | 96.3 |
Housing (rents): 72.5 in 2008, 80.5 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 72.5 |
| 2009 | 74.6 |
| 2010 | 74.6 |
| 2011 | 75.3 |
| 2012 | 75.7 |
| 2013 | 74.3 |
| 2014 | 73.4 |
| 2015 | 74.6 |
| 2016 | 73.9 |
| 2017 | 74.0 |
| 2018 | 73.9 |
| 2019 | 74.4 |
| 2020 | 74.6 |
| 2021 | 76.1 |
| 2022 | 78.7 |
| 2023 | 80.5 |
| 2024 | 80.5 |
Utilities: 86.1 in 2008, 88.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.1 |
| 2009 | 87.2 |
| 2010 | 89.4 |
| 2011 | 91.2 |
| 2012 | 95.0 |
| 2013 | 94.7 |
| 2014 | 97.4 |
| 2015 | 97.8 |
| 2016 | 96.9 |
| 2017 | 94.5 |
| 2018 | 93.2 |
| 2019 | 96.0 |
| 2020 | 93.7 |
| 2021 | 90.7 |
| 2022 | 89.2 |
| 2023 | 85.8 |
| 2024 | 88.3 |
Other services: 97.6 in 2008, 98.3 in 2024
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.6 |
| 2009 | 96.4 |
| 2010 | 98.2 |
| 2011 | 99.5 |
| 2012 | 99.9 |
| 2013 | 99.9 |
| 2014 | 99.7 |
| 2015 | 100.2 |
| 2016 | 100.7 |
| 2017 | 99.0 |
| 2018 | 97.9 |
| 2019 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 95.0 |
| 2021 | 99.9 |
| 2022 | 99.4 |
| 2023 | 97.9 |
| 2024 | 98.3 |
What incomes buy here
BEA divides personal income by local prices, so a dollar in a cheap state counts for more. This is income per resident (wages, benefits, investment income), not household or take-home pay.
After adjusting for prices, income per person in South Carolina is $52,463, 45th of 51
Real personal income per person, constant 2017 dollars (adjusted for local price levels and inflation).
- South Carolina
- United States
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, real personal income by state (SARPI), 2008–2024.
Show the numbers
| South Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $40,414 | $45,816 |
| 2009 | $39,564 | $44,204 |
| 2010 | $39,099 | $44,808 |
| 2011 | $39,842 | $45,957 |
| 2012 | $40,612 | $46,796 |
| 2013 | $40,250 | $46,358 |
| 2014 | $41,750 | $47,661 |
| 2015 | $43,683 | $49,396 |
| 2016 | $44,377 | $49,828 |
| 2017 | $45,761 | $51,006 |
| 2018 | $46,643 | $52,242 |
| 2019 | $48,823 | $53,683 |
| 2020 | $51,406 | $56,514 |
| 2021 | $52,444 | $59,365 |
| 2022 | $50,407 | $57,104 |
| 2023 | $51,320 | $58,088 |
| 2024 | $52,463 | $59,195 |
Compare South Carolina with other states
States with similar prices
- North Carolina 94.3
- Wisconsin 94.1
- Indiana 93.3
- Georgia 96.3
- Kansas 90.1
Sources and limits
- Price levels and real income: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Regional Price Parities and real personal income by state, 2008–2024. Last updated February 19, 2026: new statistics for 2024; revised statistics for 2008-2023. Downloaded 2026-10-21.
- Metro price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities by metro area. Typical rent: Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- State figures average cities and rural areas. Taxes are not included. BEA figures lag by about 18 months.