South Carolina Cost of Living 2026
The cost of living in South Carolina (SC) has an overall index of 92.6 (100 = national average), making it moderately more affordable than the national average. Use the calculator below to compare South Carolina to any other state and see how far your dollar goes.
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South Carolina Cost of Living Breakdown
Here is how South Carolina compares to the national average across major spending categories. An index above 100 means the category is more expensive than average, while below 100 means it is more affordable.
| Category | South Carolina | National Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 92.6 | 100.0 | -7.4 |
| Housing | 80.4 | 100.0 | -19.6 |
| Groceries | 96.8 | 100.0 | -3.2 |
| Transportation | 95.2 | 100.0 | -4.8 |
| Healthcare | 96.4 | 100.0 | -3.6 |
| Utilities | 102.8 | 100.0 | +2.8 |
Key Takeaways for South Carolina
- Housing (80.4): Housing costs are well below the national average, making South Carolina one of the more affordable states for housing.
- Groceries (96.8): Grocery prices are close to the national average with minimal impact on your budget.
- Transportation (95.2): Transportation costs are near the national average.
- Healthcare (96.4): Healthcare costs are near the national average.
- Utilities (102.8): Utility costs are near the national average.
Biggest Factor in South Carolina
The most expensive category in South Carolina relative to national averages is Utilities at an index of 102.8, while the most affordable is Housing at 80.4.
Cost of Living by City in South Carolina
Explore city-level cost of living data for South Carolina.
Cost of Living by ZIP Code in South Carolina
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