Cost Of Living For a Family in South Carolina 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in South Carolina

Average monthly spending for families in South Carolina

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: USD
2,900 8,200 53,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in South Carolina?

Families in South Carolina spend around 8,200 USD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2,900 USD or as high as 53,000 USD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in South Carolina


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in South Carolina

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

5.7 USD 11 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Restaurant meal for one

19 USD 29 USD 58 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fine dining meal for one

39 USD 58 USD 230 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cappuccino or latte

4.8 USD 7.6 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

3.8 USD 4.6 USD 5.7 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

12 eggs

2.9 USD 3.8 USD 5.7 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fresh whole chicken

6.5 USD 8.4 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Pack of beef

7.6 USD 11 USD 23 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Medium bag of rice

3.1 USD 4.2 USD 6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of tomatos

1.1 USD 1.5 USD 2.9 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of apples

2 USD 2.7 USD 4.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in South Carolina


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

4.8 USD 5.8 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car full tank

29 USD 38 USD 76 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car 1-day rental

29 USD 39 USD 59 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car price

14,000 USD 29,000 USD 38,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bus ticket one way

0.98 USD 1.5 USD 2.9 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Car Service

39 USD 59 USD 120 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in South Carolina


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

140 USD 410 USD 2,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable

29 USD 57 USD 76 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone charges

23 USD 38 USD 110 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

14 USD 19 USD 29 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

One month gym membership

47 USD 59 USD 120 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in South Carolina


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

34 USD 49 USD 73 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman dress

33 USD 45 USD 150 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman shoes

31 USD 42 USD 98 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men's shoes

27 USD 33 USD 65 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men suit

29 USD 37 USD 200 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Regular t-shirt

15 USD 20 USD 59 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in South Carolina


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

490 USD 730 USD 2,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

730 USD 1,200 USD 2,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

980 USD 1,500 USD 3,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

98,000 USD 150,000 USD 290,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

120,000 USD 200,000 USD 730,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

200,000 USD 590,000 USD 1.2M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in South Carolina


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

570 USD 720 USD 960 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Double Bed

380 USD 570 USD 720 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Single Bed

340 USD 440 USD 570 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Living Room

640 USD 820 USD 2,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Dining Table

290 USD 380 USD 720 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Sofa or Couch

380 USD 520 USD 1,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in South Carolina


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

380 USD 570 USD 1,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fridge or Freezer

340 USD 520 USD 720 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Washing Machine

440 USD 640 USD 1,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Stove or Cooker

410 USD 520 USD 720 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile Phone

480 USD 570 USD 820 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Laptop or Computer

520 USD 640 USD 1,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in South Carolina

Family expenditure to income ratio in South Carolina

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in South Carolina

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

82%

73% to 92%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in South Carolina spend around 82% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 73% of their income while some as high as 92%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in South Carolina

How do families spend their money in South Carolina?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW920 USD
AVERAGE2,600 USD
HIGH17,000 USD
Per Month

Families in South Carolina typically spend from 23% to 38% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 28% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 2,600 USD with expenditure ranging from 920 USD to 17,000 USD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 8%)

LOW140 USD
AVERAGE410 USD
HIGH2,700 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in South Carolina ranges from 3% to 8% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 410 USD with 140 USD and 2,700 USD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW290 USD
AVERAGE820 USD
HIGH5,300 USD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 290 USD to 5,300 USD in a month on commuting with 820 USD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 8%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW520 USD
AVERAGE1,500 USD
HIGH9,600 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in South Carolina is 1,500 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 520 USD to 9,600 USD. Families spend on average about 20% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 13% and 26% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW260 USD
AVERAGE820 USD
HIGH4,300 USD
Per Month

Families in South Carolina allocate 6% to 15% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 260 USD to 4,300 USD with 820 USD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW140 USD
AVERAGE410 USD
HIGH2,700 USD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 140 USD to 2,700 USD with 410 USD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW400 USD
AVERAGE1,100 USD
HIGH7,500 USD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1,100 USD per month with 400 USD being the minimum spent amount and 7,500 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW230 USD
AVERAGE660 USD
HIGH4,300 USD
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in South Carolina

What percentage of families in South Carolina are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
64%
Not Saving
37%

Almost 64% of surveyed families in South Carolina said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 37% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in South Carolina

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

13% 22% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,200 USD 3,500 USD 23,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 13% to 31% of their monthly income to their savings, with 22% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 3,500 USD with 1,200 USD and 23,000 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in South Carolina

Saving Challenges in South Carolina

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in South Carolina. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later18%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in South Carolina

Typical saving choices for families in South Carolina

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in South Carolina

Affordable living in South Carolina

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in South Carolina?


Yes
80%
No
20%

Around 80% of surveyed families think that living in South Carolina is affordable with proper budgeting while 20% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in South Carolina

Low-cost alternatives in South Carolina

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options61%

Few low-cost options39%


Based on the survey, 61% of the families living in South Carolina have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of South Carolina whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes78%

No22%


Based on the survey, 22% of the families living in South Carolina said that they don't have an emergency fund while 78% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in South Carolina

Financial Literacy in United States

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy77%


We asked family guardians and parents in South Carolina whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 23% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 77% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of United States have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 19% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 81% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance19%

Easily manages finances81%

Financial goals and targets of families living in South Carolina

Financial goals of families in South Carolina

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in South Carolina, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund7%
Debt Reduction35%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle10%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 35% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in South Carolina

Debt, loans, and mortgages in South Carolina


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
23%
Debt Free
77%

According to the survey, 23% of the families in South Carolina have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 77% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in South Carolina

Debt-to-income ratio in South Carolina

Debt to income ratio

24%

15% to 34%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 24% of a family's monthly income in South Carolina goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%13%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%17%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in South Carolina pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in South Carolina

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan21%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan38%

12% of debtors in South Carolina confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 21% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in South Carolina.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in South Carolina

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of South Carolina how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never54%
Once a year22%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in South Carolina

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in South Carolina

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in South Carolina

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

490 USD 730 USD 2,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

730 USD 1,200 USD 2,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

980 USD 1,500 USD 3,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,200 USD 2,000 USD 5,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

2,300 USD 5,900 USD 12,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse monthly rent cost

2,000 USD 2,900 USD 8,400 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House monthly rent cost

2,300 USD 5,900 USD 12,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa monthly rent cost

2,900 USD 7,300 USD 12,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in South Carolina ranges between 490 USD and 2,000 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 730 USD to 2,900 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 980 USD and 3,900 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,200 USD to 5,300 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in South Carolina is around 2,900 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 5,900 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,900 USD to 12,000 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in South Carolina

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

98,000 USD 150,000 USD 290,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment price

120,000 USD 200,000 USD 730,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment price

200,000 USD 590,000 USD 1.2M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment price

650,000 USD 980,000 USD 2.9M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse price

840,000 USD 2M USD 7.3M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House price

980,000 USD 5.9M USD 8.4M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa price

1.2M USD 6.5M USD 9.8M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in South Carolina can range from 98,000 USD to 290,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 120,000 USD to 730,000 USD. A villa can cost you 6.5M USD on average with prices ranging from 1.2M USD to 9.8M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in South Carolina will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


48 x142 monthly income 222
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in South Carolina can be x142 to x222 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x142 multiples of the average monthly salary in South Carolina.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


24% 34% of income 44%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in South Carolina is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 44% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
32%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.4%
AVERAGE
3.3%
TO
4.3%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


8.2 USD 110 USD 1,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in South Carolina

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in South Carolina

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

140 USD 410 USD 2,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable cost

29 USD 57 USD 76 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone bill and charges

23 USD 38 USD 110 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 410 USD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 29 USD to 76 USD with 57 USD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 38 USD but can range between 23 USD and 110 USD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


1% 3.9% of income 7.8%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in South Carolina is around 3.9%. This means that people pay 3.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1% to 7.8% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in South Carolina

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in South Carolina

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

5.7 USD 11 USD 19 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in South Carolina is approximatly 11 USD with meal cost ranging from 5.7 USD to 19 USD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

19 USD 29 USD 58 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 19 USD and 58 USD with 29 USD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in South Carolina.

Fine dining meal for one price

39 USD 58 USD 230 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 39 USD to 230 USD with the average cost being 58 USD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in South Carolina.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

4.8 USD 7.6 USD 11 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in South Carolina is around 7.6 USD. Price ranges between 4.8 USD and 11 USD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

3.8 USD 4.6 USD 5.7 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a large bottle of milk in South Carolina is 4.6 USD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 5.7 USD and the minimum being 3.8 USD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

2.9 USD 3.8 USD 5.7 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A dozen eggs costs around 3.8 USD on average with 2.9 USD and 5.7 USD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

6.5 USD 8.4 USD 12 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in South Carolina is between 6.5 USD and 12 USD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 8.4 USD.

Pack of beef price

7.6 USD 11 USD 23 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 11 USD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

3.1 USD 4.2 USD 6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of rice in South Carolina costs around 4.2 USD on average with prices rangeing between 3.1 USD and 6 USD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

1.1 USD 1.5 USD 2.9 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.1 USD to 2.9 USD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

2 USD 2.7 USD 4.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of apples costs 2.7 USD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


16% 23% of income 29%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in South Carolina is around 23%. This means that families spend 23% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 16% to 29% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 520 USD to 9,600 USD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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