South Carolina Cost of Living & Economic Score

Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis data on price levels, real income, and household-budget impact for South Carolina. Last updated 2024.

B-
InflationRank Score
80 / 100
South Carolina ranks above the U.S. national average for cost-of-living-adjusted economic conditions.
Cost level (RPP)
93.5
6.5% below U.S. average
Real per-capita income
$53.0K
6K below U.S. ($59K)
Property tax
0.59%
vs U.S. avg 1.02%
Sales tax
7.50%
combined state + local avg
State income tax (top)
6.20%
top marginal rate
Home insurance (avg)
$1,830/yr
~$300K coverage

Cost of living in South Carolina

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in South Carolina run 6.5% below the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 93.5 on a base of 100). The state sits in the South region. That puts it close to the middle of the U.S. cost-of-living distribution.

Real per-capita personal income — what local residents actually earn after adjusting for cost of living — is $53.0K (vs $59K nationally). Locals have somewhat lower real purchasing power than the U.S. average, even after accounting for the state's cheaper or comparable price level.

Notable cost factors: low property tax (0.59%).

Cost of living in South Carolina's major metro areas

How does cost of living in South Carolina compare to other states?

Idaho C+ Michigan B- Georgia B- Rhode Island C+ South Dakota B

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in South Carolina?

South Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 93.5 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 6.5% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.

Is South Carolina affordable to live in?

South Carolina has an InflationRank score of 80/100 (grade B-), reflecting costs above the national average relative to local incomes. Real per-capita income is $53.0K (U.S. avg $59K).

What is the InflationRank score for South Carolina?

South Carolina's InflationRank score is 80/100 (grade B-). The score blends cost burden (60%), inflation pressure (25%), and income resilience (15%), using Bureau of Economic Analysis and Bureau of Labor Statistics federal data.

About the InflationRank Score

The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a place's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. Higher scores reflect a better cost-of-living-adjusted economic situation.

The composite weighs three dimensions sourced from federal government datasets: cost level (how local prices compare to the national average), inflation pressure (recent direction and pace of cost movements), and income resilience (real, cost-adjusted earning power of local residents). The score is anchored to the U.S. national average and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.

Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →