Rent & Housing in South Carolina
Based on comprehensive economic data across 103 tracked municipalities, South Carolina presents diverse cost of living environments. Macroeconomic modeling identifies Bennettsville as the most cost-efficient market, contrasting starkly with the elevated real estate valuations found in Mount Pleasant. South Carolina assesses a 6.4% progressive income tax, while residential property taxes average 0.57%. Financial planning in SC requires careful alignment of localized housing costs against state-level tax obligations.
Use this state hub to understand the statewide housing baseline first, then drop into city pages for a household-level feasibility verdict. The key question here is not just whether South Carolina is “cheap” or “expensive”, but which cities look most livable once rent, home values, taxes, and household income are considered together.
South Carolina sits in the middle: neither uniformly cheap nor uniformly unaffordable. The statewide baseline is 22% average rent burden and 4.1x home-price-to-income, so the best next step is to compare lower-pressure cities against higher-cost metros rather than assuming the whole state behaves the same way.
South Carolina Tax Radar
At a gross income of $74,580, the localized South Carolina marginal tax brackets exact an effective state penalty of 4.2%. This results in an absolute "tax drag" drain of $3,131/year compared to states with no income tax.
Lower Housing Pressure Cities
These city pages have comparatively lower rent burden inside South Carolina, making them strong candidates for the next housing-feasibility clicks.
Biggest Move-Market Cities
These are the highest-population city pages in the state, useful when you want the major relocation targets before exploring the full table.
Rent Pressure Outliers
These city pages show the highest rent burden inside South Carolina. They are useful when you want to see where renting starts to materially squeeze household budgets.
Buy Pressure Outliers
These city pages have the toughest home-price-to-income ratios in South Carolina, making them the first places to inspect when buy-side affordability is the core concern.
All Cities in South Carolina
| City | Pop. | Home Value | Rent | Income | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 152,014 | $581,145 | $2,127 | $90,038 | 139 |
| Columbia | 138,019 | $226,769 | $1,459 | $55,653 | 90 |
| North Charleston | 117,460 | $307,981 | $1,670 | $62,789 | 102 |
| Mount Pleasant | 92,662 | $865,394 | $2,353 | $121,364 | 174 |
| Rock Hill | 74,769 | $267,400 | $1,279 | $64,770 | 93 |
| Greenville | 71,755 | $321,243 | $1,548 | $68,460 | 102 |
| Summerville | 51,262 | $295,700 | $1,819 | $78,621 | 102 |
| Goose Creek | 46,964 | $319,460 | $1,939 | $87,437 | 106 |
| Sumter | 43,065 | $210,391 | $1,055 | $53,071 | 83 |
| Florence | 40,205 | $189,800 | $922 | $56,433 | 80 |
| Greer | 39,191 | $264,300 | $1,578 | $80,030 | 96 |
| Spartanburg | 38,578 | $185,300 | $1,043 | $51,193 | 81 |
| Hilton Head Island | 37,805 | $779,610 | $1,518 | $96,715 | 155 |
| Myrtle Beach | 37,214 | $347,700 | $1,675 | $53,679 | 106 |
| Aiken | 32,334 | $266,792 | $1,199 | $69,837 | 92 |
| Bluffton | 31,323 | $493,409 | $2,148 | $105,463 | 129 |
| Anderson | 29,563 | $267,922 | $965 | $44,321 | 89 |
| Fort Mill | 28,281 | $520,347 | $1,437 | $127,537 | 124 |
| Carolina Forest | 26,373 | $298,700 | $1,567 | $70,647 | 99 |
| Conway | 26,082 | $236,300 | $881 | $54,841 | 85 |
| Mauldin | 25,985 | $242,100 | $1,401 | $81,027 | 91 |
| Simpsonville | 25,125 | $267,500 | $1,805 | $79,233 | 99 |
| North Augusta | 24,928 | $261,739 | $1,080 | $90,132 | 90 |
| Socastee | 24,629 | $218,200 | $1,244 | $59,826 | 87 |
| Lexington | 24,132 | $271,200 | $1,655 | $83,263 | 97 |
| Easley | 23,942 | $243,100 | $903 | $65,330 | 86 |
| Taylors | 23,686 | $242,700 | $1,260 | $71,747 | 90 |
| Greenwood | 22,527 | $123,400 | $826 | $40,253 | 71 |
| Hanahan | 21,119 | $407,348 | $1,324 | $84,061 | 109 |
| St. Andrews | 20,953 | $146,700 | $1,060 | $45,321 | 76 |
| Wade Hampton | 20,703 | $293,300 | $1,064 | $75,522 | 93 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 19,343 | $371,900 | $1,171 | $72,111 | 104 |
| Five Forks | 19,093 | $424,600 | $2,139 | $140,668 | 120 |
| Clemson | 17,759 | $399,130 | $972 | $49,713 | 105 |
| West Columbia | 17,723 | $222,647 | $1,092 | $54,152 | 85 |
| Berea | 16,642 | $187,200 | $1,032 | $48,104 | 81 |
| Red Hill | 16,480 | $223,900 | $1,078 | $62,132 | 86 |
| Ladson | 16,261 | $311,238 | $1,517 | $83,031 | 101 |
| Seven Oaks | 15,990 | $195,900 | $1,185 | $64,003 | 84 |
| Dentsville | 15,396 | $154,600 | $1,145 | $44,029 | 78 |
| Lake Wylie | 15,177 | $464,200 | $1,517 | $112,113 | 118 |
| Gantt | 15,057 | $156,200 | $1,021 | $47,265 | 77 |
| Port Royal | 15,047 | $349,503 | $1,606 | $70,330 | 106 |
| Moncks Corner | 14,362 | $361,567 | $1,203 | $91,516 | 103 |
| Cayce | 13,718 | $207,427 | $1,358 | $58,095 | 87 |
| Beaufort | 13,660 | $408,273 | $1,061 | $59,454 | 107 |
| Tega Cay | 13,267 | $494,500 | $1,307 | $141,037 | 120 |
| Orangeburg | 13,189 | $145,000 | $765 | $33,066 | 73 |
| Gaffney | 12,612 | $141,100 | $822 | $41,214 | 73 |
| Boiling Springs | 12,609 | $230,000 | $1,267 | $79,798 | 88 |
| Parker | 12,564 | $121,800 | $1,066 | $38,607 | 73 |
| Oak Grove | 12,031 | $238,932 | $988 | $75,506 | 86 |
| Irmo | 11,799 | $280,062 | $1,412 | $85,137 | 96 |
| James Island | 11,738 | $454,200 | $1,443 | $100,176 | 116 |
| Powdersville | 11,321 | $318,600 | $1,231 | $88,125 | 98 |
| Fountain Inn | 11,307 | $303,020 | $1,072 | $72,021 | 95 |
| Red Bank | 10,950 | $176,200 | $1,141 | $60,348 | 81 |
| Garden City | 10,820 | $194,100 | $1,382 | $50,027 | 85 |
| Newberry | 10,733 | $124,600 | $837 | $47,885 | 71 |
| Forest Acres | 10,491 | $260,500 | $1,182 | $76,417 | 91 |
| Little River | 10,457 | $267,800 | $1,531 | $64,590 | 95 |
| Murrells Inlet | 10,087 | $355,800 | $1,702 | $75,438 | 107 |
| Woodfield | 9,901 | $128,600 | $1,190 | $38,394 | 76 |
| Litchfield Beach | 9,544 | $409,100 | $1,623 | $74,451 | 113 |
| Lugoff | 9,475 | $257,332 | $793 | $61,316 | 86 |
| Laurens | 9,307 | $182,995 | $795 | $55,207 | 78 |
| Hardeeville | 9,293 | $425,089 | $1,384 | $78,233 | 112 |
| Seneca | 8,910 | $223,100 | $806 | $52,207 | 83 |
| Lancaster | 8,738 | $226,300 | $824 | $43,234 | 83 |
| York | 8,697 | $161,000 | $833 | $47,315 | 76 |
| Sangaree | 8,517 | $231,900 | $1,428 | $77,939 | 90 |
| Georgetown | 8,511 | $158,600 | $805 | $57,704 | 75 |
| Sans Souci | 8,199 | $199,100 | $948 | $46,276 | 81 |
| Travelers Rest | 8,137 | $281,400 | $1,029 | $49,655 | 92 |
| Union | 8,047 | $103,400 | $789 | $34,112 | 68 |
| Camden | 8,025 | $241,300 | $803 | $53,289 | 85 |
| White Knoll | 7,865 | $232,000 | $1,269 | $79,531 | 88 |
| Clinton | 7,624 | $154,700 | $864 | $40,372 | 75 |
| Forestbrook | 7,450 | $298,800 | $1,087 | $77,791 | 94 |
| Welcome | 7,439 | $164,100 | $992 | $61,948 | 78 |
| Hartsville | 7,422 | $176,023 | $834 | $47,720 | 77 |
| Valley Falls | 7,249 | $229,600 | $955 | $55,671 | 85 |
| Burton | 7,132 | $198,300 | $1,281 | $57,315 | 85 |
| Lake Murray of Richland | 7,057 | $378,900 | $1,682 | $118,435 | 110 |
| Clover | 7,013 | $236,100 | $995 | $66,992 | 86 |
| Homeland Park | 6,944 | $101,400 | $809 | $38,079 | 68 |
| Centerville | 6,860 | $212,800 | $1,027 | $66,912 | 84 |
| Bennettsville | 6,798 | $82,700 | $650 | $40,889 | 64 |
| Dillon | 6,406 | $110,000 | $624 | $34,964 | 67 |
| Marion | 6,338 | $119,400 | $624 | $27,767 | 68 |
| Lyman | 6,317 | $239,800 | $1,157 | $69,688 | 88 |
| Darlington | 6,128 | $163,000 | $801 | $31,240 | 75 |
| Lake City | 6,032 | $133,700 | $696 | $35,000 | 71 |
| Piedmont | 5,786 | $298,427 | $844 | $51,896 | 91 |
| Laurel Bay | 5,627 | $221,300 | $1,375 | $52,094 | 88 |
| Walterboro | 5,490 | $170,500 | $865 | $48,366 | 77 |
| Belvedere | 5,458 | $120,400 | $952 | $57,933 | 72 |
| Hollywood | 5,330 | $510,472 | $1,142 | $77,415 | 119 |
| Blythewood | 5,309 | $368,300 | $1,083 | $105,583 | 102 |
| Central | 5,299 | $283,603 | $973 | $58,262 | 91 |
| Chester | 5,241 | $134,205 | $905 | $41,231 | 73 |
| Cheraw | 5,024 | $113,400 | $806 | $27,275 | 70 |
FAQ: Living in South Carolina
What is the most affordable city to live in South Carolina?+
Among the cities we track, Bennettsville stands out as the most affordable option in South Carolina. The median home value there is $82,700, and monthly rent typically runs around $650. The local median household income is $40,889, which tends to go further here than in much of the state.
What is the most expensive city in South Carolina?+
Mount Pleasant is currently the priciest market in SC. Homes there are valued at a median of $865,394, and renters can expect to pay around $2,353/month. Incomes are higher too — the median household earns $121,364 — but whether that fully offsets the cost premium depends on your lifestyle.
How are taxes in South Carolina?+
South Carolina has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.4%. Property taxes average 0.57% statewide — among the lowest in the country. Combined state and local sales tax can reach 7.44%.
How much does housing vary across South Carolina?+
There's a huge range. In Bennettsville, the median home costs around $82,700. In Mount Pleasant, that number jumps to $865,394 — roughly 9x more. Rents follow a similar pattern: approximately $650/month vs. $2,353/month. Where you choose to settle within SC can make a dramatic difference in your monthly budget.
Is South Carolina a good state to move to?+
It depends on your priorities and budget. South Carolina offers a wide range of living costs depending on the city. You can find very affordable communities alongside expensive metro areas. Home prices range from around $82,700 in budget-friendly areas to $865,394 in premium markets. Use the city comparison tool to compare housing, rent, property tax, and everyday cost pressure across locations in SC.
Explore Other States
- Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
- Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
- Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
- Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
- Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)