Cost of Living in South Carolina (SC)
Compare costs across 3 South Carolina cities. From home services to salaries, see how SC stacks up against the national average.
3
Cities
99
Avg Cost Index
$52K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
South Carolina's average cost index is 99, which is near the national baseline of 100. Columbia is the most affordable tracked city in SC at index 90, while Charleston is the most expensive at index 108.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 18 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
South Carolina Highlights: Most affordable city: Columbia (index 90). Most expensive: Charleston (index 108). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 18 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
99/100
South Carolina is near the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Columbia
Columbia has a cost index of 90.
Most expensive
Charleston
Charleston has a cost index of 108.
Income average
$52K
Average median household income across 3 tracked SC cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in South Carolina
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 150K | 108 | $67K | mid |
| Columbia | 137K | 90 | $44K | mid |
| North Charleston | 115K | 100 | $46K | small |
South Carolina State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in South Carolina.
State Income Tax
0-6.4%
progressive system
Combined Sales Tax
7.46%
6% state + 1.46% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.55%
~$1,650/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: South Carolina uses a progressive income tax at 0-6.4%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Columbia if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside South Carolina.
- Compare Charleston against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.