South Carolina

South Carolina is about 8% cheaper than the national average. Across the 11 cities we track, the cost of living index averages 92, where 100 is the US average.

Typical rent in South Carolina averages $1,548 a month across the 11 cities we track as of September 2026, 20% below the national typical rent of $1,932. That ranks near the middle of 51 states. The figure is the Zillow Observed Rent Index for all home types.

Of the 11 cities we track in South Carolina, Columbia has the lowest cost of living index at 82. The lowest typical rent is in Greenwood, at $1,101 a month.

Charleston has the highest cost of living index of the cities we track in South Carolina, at 98. The highest typical rent is in Charleston, at $2,037 a month.

Regular unleaded averages $3.50 a gallon in South Carolina as of November 11, 2026 (AAA state average), 12% below the national average of $3.98. That is the 4th cheapest of 51 states.

Rent in South Carolina rose an average of 3.2% over the past year across the 11 cities we track, compared with a 2.7% change nationally.

Residential electricity in South Carolina averages 15.8 cents per kWh (EIA), versus 18.4 cents nationally. At 900 kWh a month, a typical bill is about $142.

Full coverage car insurance in South Carolina averages $2,180 a year, or about $182 a month (Bankrate and NAIC), compared with $2,150 a year nationally. That is near the middle of 51 states.