Moving to a state and starting a new life altogether is often considered an exciting task as during this process you will meet new people, learn about their cultures, adjust to their climate, and gain many new experiences.
The state of South Carolina is also filled with great people who follow great cultures, perform plenty of interesting activities, and enjoy delicious foods. They have lots of charming cities and towns full of livability, culture, and population. If you are planning to live in this pleasant state among great people you must be aware of how much does it cost to live in South Carolina.
To ease up your job, here in this comprehensive article we have mentioned the average cost of living in South Carolina under major heads. From groceries to housing rent, from transportation to healthcare, we have mentioned it all got you. Now, without wasting a minute any further let’s dig into this article which will surely convenience you why you should be Relocating to South Carolina.
Is it expensive to live in South Carolina? According to certain statistics, it is found that it is around 11.5% less expensive to live in South Carolina than the total of the other states of the US. The Economic Policy institute of South Carolina has found out that the average monthly cost to live in the state as a single person is $2,332 and $4,748 per month if you have a family of four.
Why You’ll Love the Cost of Living in South Carolina? Living in this state is the best decision you can take for yourself. As the cost of living in South Carolina is much more on the affordable side. Here you will get various perks & services, affordable homes & food, and low-cost expenses. If you are planning to move to South Carolina, you will live a happy life as you will have enough money to live a comfortable life as well as enjoy to the fullest.
What determines a state’s cost of living rating? The cost of living of a state is determined by the cost of housing, groceries, food, utilities, transportation, and health. Apart from all these major factors, some other components that are a part of the cost of living calculation are wages & salaries, and job opportunities. The costs are calculated by analyzing individual budgets and spending patterns.
How much do you need to live comfortably in South Carolina? As the cost of living in South Carolina is comparatively lower than the other major states of the US. So if you are living alone in the state you need $2,332 per month to spend on your expenses and if you have a family of four you might need $4,748 per month to live a comfortable life.
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Cost of Living in South Carolina
The average cost of living index in the US is 100 and the average cost of living in South Carolina is 88.5 which is less than that of the US. Given below is a table that states the overall cost of living in the state when compared to that of the US under various heads.
| COST OF LIVING | SOUTH CAROLINA | UNITED STATES |
| Grocery | 95.8 | 100 |
| Housing | 73.6 | 100 |
| Health | 102.3 | 100 |
| Transportation | 86.8 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103.9 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 95.6 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $223,400 | $291,700 |
In the below-mentioned heads, we are going to tell you about the cost of living in detail about all the categories stated in the table above.
How Much Do Groceries Cost in South Carolina?
The groceries in South Carolina are just 5% less than that of the average in the US. Thus, you will be able to save a substantial amount of money over the years in this state. Given below is a table that you should go through to know about the costs of living in South Carolina in terms of grocery items.
| ITEMS | COST |
| 1 Gallon of milk | $ 3.01 |
| 1 loaf of fresh white bread | $ 2.44 |
| White Rice (1lb) | $ 1.75 |
| 12 eggs of regular size | $ 1.88 |
| Local cheese (1lb) | $ 4.05 |
| Chicken fillets (1lb) | $ 5.67 |
| Round beef (1lb) | $ 5.41 |
| Apples (1lb) | $ 2.20 |
| Oranges (1lb) | $ 3.39 |
| Potatoes (1lb) | $ 2.01 |
| Tomatoes (1lb) | $ 1.62 |
What is the average cost of groceries in Southern Carolina?
The average cost of living in South Carolina in terms of groceries for one person is $ 535 and if you have a family of four it will cost you $ 1,384.
How much should I budget for groceries in Southern Carolina?
According to certain research, it was found that South Carolinians need approximately $ 411.29 per month to purchase groceries for their household.
Is Food Cheaper in South Carolina?
If you are in no mood to purchase groceries and prepare food, you can always opt to go out and eat with your family. This state has a vast chain of various fast food restaurants that will offer you value meals. Mentioned below is a table that states how much does it cost to live in South Carolina in terms of eating food outside.
| ITEMS | COST |
| Meals at an inexpensive restaurant | $ 20.00 |
| Three-course meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant | $ 56.00 |
| Meal at Mc Donalds or any equivalent restaurant | $ 8.25 |
| Beer in a pub (0.5 lt) | $ 4.81 |
| Cappuccino | $ 4.76 |
| Pepsi or Coke (0.5 lt) | $ 1.99 |
How much does food cost in Southern Carolina?
If you live in South Carolina then the average money you can spend annually on eating food outside is $3,080. But, if you are going to eat out with a family of four you can spend $8,895 on average.
Are Utilities High in South Carolina?
Whether you are living in a rented house or purchasing a house to live for you and your family, utilities or the necessities such as electricity, water, heat, gas services, trash services, etc are the common things that will be needed. Thus given below is a table that states the average cost of living in South Carolina of some basic & necessary utilities that you should incur.
| ITEMS | COST |
| Electricity, Heating, Water, etc bill of one person | $ 110 |
| Electricity, Heating, Water, etc bill of a family | $ 169 |
| 50Mbps of 1-month unlimited internet plan | $ 56.3 |
| 1 Minute of prepaid mobile tariff | $ 0.10 |
How much are utilities in Southern Carolina?
The average cost of living index of the US in terms of utility is 100 whereas that of South Carolina is 103.9.
Are utilities expensive in South Carolina?
South Carolina is the 7th state in the US where the cost of utilities is higher than the national average index. The cost of electricity and natural gas is the most expensive in this state.
How much is the average water bill in South Carolina?
The average cost of the water bill in this state is $32 every month.
Healthcare In South Carolina
The quality of healthcare and access to proper medications is quite less than the national average in this state. MUSC Health University Medical Center is the best hospital in South Carolina that offers excellent healthcare services. This state is ranked 49th in terms of healthcare costs, 41st for health care outcomes, and 32nd place for access to healthcare. Do you know, what is the cost of living in South Carolina, in terms of health insurance costs? Well, read the table given below to know more.
| Insurance Plan | Age 21 | Age 40 | Age 60 |
| Catastrophic | $ 170 | $ 218 | $ 463 |
| Bronze | $ 227 | $ 291 | $ 617 |
| Bronze Expanded | $ 239 | $ 305 | $ 648 |
| Silver | $ 341 | $ 436 | $ 926 |
| Gold | $ 363 | $ 464 | $ 985 |
How much does health care cost in South Carolina?
The average annual cost of healthcare in this state per person is $6,064 and $24,256 for a family of four.
How much is monthly health insurance in Southern California?
The monthly health insurance of the state differs according to different types of insurance plans and different age groups.
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Is Housing Cheap In South Carolina?
The median value of housing in the US is $291,700 and whereas in the state of South Carolina this is $223,400. The houses here are quite affordable than the various major cities of the country, and Charleston is the best hospitals in south carolina.
If we talk about the cost of houses in North Carolina vs South Carolina, the latter has more affordable housing than the former. Given below is every month the cost of living in South Carolina in terms of the prices of the houses in its popular cities.
| CITIES | COST OF HOUSES |
| Columbia | $ 191,400 |
| Charleston | $ 430,000 |
| North Charleston | $ 265,000 |
| Mount Pleasant | $ 599,000 |
| Greenville | $ 295,000 |
| Rock Hill | $ 299,900 |
What is the average cost of a house in Southern Carolina?
The average cost of houses in the state is $170,100.
Why houses are so expensive in Southern Carolina?
The cost of houses in the state is different in various towns and cities, but altogether it is 15% lower than the national average, which makes it an affordable place to live in.
Average Rent By Bedroom
About 1/3rd proportion of the people in this state live in rented apartments. The state has plenty of viable options to offer you according to your needs from a single person to a family of four or six. The average rent of one single room is $920 per month and $2360 for a five-bedroom house. Given below is a table stating the cost of living in South Carolina according to the average rent of the houses.
| ITEMS | COST |
| Rent of 1 bedroom apartment in the city center | $ 1,670 |
| Rent of 1 bedroom apartment outside the city center | $ 1,356 |
| Rent of 3 bedroom apartment in the city center | $ 2,700 |
| Rent of 3 bedroom apartment outside the city center | $ 1,773 |
Is renting expensive in Southern Carolina?
No, rather the renting cost of the apartments is quite affordable in the state.
Are rents going down in Southern Carolina?
The rent prices are expected to see a hike by a little percentage in the year 2022.
What is the average monthly cost of living in Southern Carolina?
The average cost of living in South Carolina every month is $ 2,332 every month for a single person.
Tax System in South Carolina
The rate of income tax, sales tax, and property tax here is lower in South Carolina than in the other states. The taxes charged on fuels and gas are also lower, thus making the transportation cost of the state lower. The rate of property taxes here is the lowest in the whole of the US. Given below is a table stating the tax rates charged under different heads which you should be aware of.
| PARTICULARS | TAX RATES |
| The Individual income tax rate | 7% |
| State and local tax rate | 8.4% |
| The Corporate income tax rate | 5% |
| State sales tax | 6% |
| Average local tax rate | 1.46% |
| Combined state and average local sales tax rate | 7.46% |
| Property tax rate | 0.56% |
How much is the tax in Southern Carolina?
The income tax across the state is 7% and the sales tax is charged at 6%.
What city in Southern Carolina has the highest tax rate?
Beaufort County in South Carolina charges the highest rate of property tax in the whole state.
How Much Is Transportation in South Carolina?
If you are planning to move to South Carolina, you can commute from one place to another from either your car or through public means of transport which is managed and controlled by the South Carolina Department of Transport.
This state has an excellent public transport system in the form of shuttle buses, uber, cabs, or taxis. The table given below states the cost of living in South Carolina for transportation services.
| ITEMS | COST |
| Average transportation cost for drivers annually | $ 1280 |
| Average transportation cost for commuters annually | $ 1850 |
| Per year vehicle insurance cost | $ 1250 |
| Cost of 7-day bus pass | $ 12.50 |
| Cost of 31-day bus pass | $ 50 |
| Cost of a bus pass for 20 rides | $ 27 |
| Taxi Ride for 8 Kms | $ 17.2 |
Is there public transportation in Southern Carolina?
Yes, this state has a vast and well-maintained public transport system specially built for the convenience of the general public.
How much is public transportation in Southern Carolina per month?
The monthly cost of a bus pass in the state of South Carolina costs $50.
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Energy & Fuels In South Carolina
Electricity, natural gas, and gasoline are necessary for living comfortably in a place, thus their cost of living in South Carolina is mentioned below.
| ITEMS | COST |
| 1 Lt of Gas | $ 0.62 |
| Gasoline (1 Gallon) | $ 2.22 |
| Average bill of gas | $ 100 |
| Monthly electricity bill | $ 144 |
What is the average electric bill in Southern Carolina?
The average monthly electricity bill in South Carolina amounts to $144.53
Is electricity more expensive than gas in Southern Carolina?
In South Carolina, the price of electricity is two or three times higher than that of gas.
Miscellaneous Cost in Soth Carolina
Miscellaneous costs generally include the cost of living in South Carolina that you spend on cinema, shopping, membership of clubs or sports complexes, etc. Given below is a table that states the costs of various miscellaneous items in the state.
| ITEMS | COST |
| Fitness Club Fee for 1 month for an adult | $ 27 |
| Gym Membership for 1 month | $ 57.3 |
| Cinema Ticket for 1 person | $ 10.00 |
| Haircut | $ 15.9 |
| Branded Jeans | $ 42.9 |
| Branded Pair of Sneakers | $ 95.3 |
| Cost of preschool or daycare (1month) | $ 745 |
| Cost of international primary school (1 year) | $ 13379 |
What are miscellaneous living expenses?
The cost of miscellaneous expenses differs in different scenarios.
How much does stuff cost in Southern Carolina?
Different kinds of stuff have different prices in the state, thus, you should buy what you need and what fits in your budget.
South Carolina Living Cost FAQs
What is bad about living in Southern Carolina?
This state has comparatively high income and state taxes than the other neighboring states. The temperatures of this state usually remain hot, and if you are someone who loves a cooler climate, then you would not like to live here. Natural calamities such as flooding and hurricanes are quite common in this state.
Does South Carolina have a low cost of living?
Yes, South Carolina has a low cost of living and the products here are also available at affordable rates. Thus, it is a good place to live both during working and the retirement years.
Conclusion
So, that is all about the guide of the cost of living in South Carolina. By, reading the above comprehensive article we hope that you must have understood the overall costs in the state and how much money do you need to live a comfortable life.
It has the best South Carolina beaches for families, various accommodation options, affordable cost of living, perks & benefits, low-cost expenses, too many food options, and various services that allow a person to enjoy their life. So what are you waiting for now? As you already know the average cost of living in South Carolina, plan your future life, get a job, and start packing your bags to move into this beautiful US state.
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