Cost of Living in South Carolina 2026 — Housing, Income & Taxes

📊 South Carolina at a Glance — 2026

Cost of Living Index

US average = 100 · Slightly Below Average

Median Household Income

$58,000

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS

Average 1BR Rent

$1,100/mo

Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index

State Income Tax

6.5%

Check official state rates

Average Home Price

$280,000

Source: Zillow Home Value Index

Salary Needed (30% rule)

$44,000

To keep housing under 30% of income

📈 South Carolina vs the National Average

Cost of Living

South Carolina runs 6% below the national average (index 94 vs. the U.S. baseline of 100). South Carolina's coastal areas like Charleston have seen sharp price growth from retirees and remote workers, while the interior remains much more affordable. On the tax side, South Carolina applies a graduated income tax that the state has been phasing down toward a flatter structure.

💡 What Salary Do You Need in South Carolina?

Using the 50/30/20 budget rule, housing should cost no more than 30% of your gross income. With average rent at $1,100/month in South Carolina, you need roughly $44,000/year to live comfortably without being housing-cost-burdened.

Find out exactly how much you take home after South Carolina taxes

💰 Calculate South Carolina Take-Home Pay → 🏡 See How Much Home You Can Afford →

Is South Carolina expensive to live in?

South Carolina's cost of living index is 94, where 100 is the U.S. average — that's 6% below the national average. South Carolina's coastal areas like Charleston have seen sharp price growth from retirees and remote workers, while the interior remains much more affordable. The biggest local industries are automotive and aerospace manufacturing (BMW and Boeing both have major plants here), and tourism, centered around Charleston and Columbia.

What is the average rent in South Carolina in 2026?

A 1-bedroom apartment in South Carolina averages $1,100/month as of 2026 (Zillow Observed Rent Index). That's set against a median household income of $58,000/year, so rent alone runs roughly 23% of the typical household's pre-tax income.

What salary do you need to live in South Carolina?

Following the standard 30%-of-income guideline for housing, you'd want roughly $44,000/year to cover South Carolina's average rent comfortably. That's a general rule of thumb, not a hard rule — your real number depends on debt, family size, and where in South Carolina you're looking. Our free paycheck calculator shows your actual take-home pay after South Carolina taxes.

Does South Carolina have a state income tax?

South Carolina applies a graduated income tax that the state has been phasing down toward a flatter structure. The listed rate is 6.5%. Use our free paycheck calculator to see exactly how that affects your specific take-home pay.

🔗 More Free Tools

💰 PayCalc Pro — See your take-home pay after South Carolina taxes 🏡 HomeBuy Calc — How much home can you afford in South Carolina? 📊 Compare All 50 States — Cost of Living by State 2026

Cost of Living in South Carolina 2026 — Full Guide

South Carolina's cost of living index sits at 94, meaning it runs 6% below the national average. South Carolina's coastal areas like Charleston have seen sharp price growth from retirees and remote workers, while the interior remains much more affordable.

South Carolina's Economy

South Carolina's economy centers on automotive and aerospace manufacturing (BMW and Boeing both have major plants here), and tourism, with most of that activity concentrated around Charleston and Columbia. That local economic base shapes everything from job availability to how quickly housing supply responds to demand — a state built around a few large employers behaves very differently, cost-wise, than one with a diversified metro economy.

Housing Costs in South Carolina

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in South Carolina is approximately $1,100 per month in 2026. Average home values sit around $280,000. South Carolina's coastal areas like Charleston have seen sharp price growth from retirees and remote workers, while the interior remains much more affordable.

Taxes in South Carolina

South Carolina applies a graduated income tax that the state has been phasing down toward a flatter structure. The current listed rate is 6.5%. Combined with federal taxes, this determines your real take-home pay — use our free paycheck calculator to see the exact impact on your specific salary rather than relying on a statewide average.

Data Sources

Cost of living index data is based on the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) methodology. Income figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS). Rent data is sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. All figures represent approximations and should be verified with official sources for financial planning.

All data is for informational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice.

Cost of Living inSouth Carolina 2026