Cost of Living in South Carolina: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in South Carolina? doxo breaks down key insights about South Carolina’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in South Carolina pays $1,917 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on South Carolina’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
South Carolina ranks as the 36th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, South Carolina is ranked as the 36th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $23,006 per year, South Carolina’s household expenses, on average, are 10% lower than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. South Carolina households spend 35% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for South Carolina is 95.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $1,917 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 90
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #36
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 35%
- Compared to the National Average: 10% lower
South Carolina Household Expenses are10% Lower Than the National Average
The average South Carolina household pays $1,917 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in South Carolina is $97, compared to the national average of $85, making it 13% higher than average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for South Carolina residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,230, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 13% less expensive.
Average South Carolina Household Bill Spending
Bill Category | Average South Carolina Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | South Carolina Percent +/- National Average ($2,126) |
Mortgage | $1,230 | $1,402 | 13% lower |
Rent | $1,104 | $1,300 | 16% lower |
Auto Loan | $456 | $496 | 8% lower |
Utilities | $323 | $362 | 11% lower |
Auto Insurance | $220 | $209 | 5% higher |
Health Insurance | $87 | $114 | 27% lower |
Mobile Phone | $118 | $121 | 3% lower |
Cable & Internet | $119 | $122 | 2% lower |
Life Insurance | $91 | $87 | 5% higher |
Alarm & Security | $97 | $85 | 13% higher |
Total | $1,917 | $2,126 | 10% lower |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Mount Pleasant has the highest cost of living in South Carolina for household bills
Residents of Mount Pleasant pay the highest household bills in the state of South Carolina, at an average of $2,819 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Mount Pleasant is 133, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 33% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Mount Pleasant makeup 30% of the average annual household income of $111,267.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive South Carolina Cities for Household Bills
Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
1 | Mount Pleasant | $111,267 | $2,819 | 133 | 33% higher | 30% |
2 | Beaufort | $70,446 | $2,711 | 128 | 28% higher | 46% |
3 | Chapin | $111,654 | $2,696 | 127 | 27% higher | 29% |
4 | Hilton Head Island | $95,078 | $2,602 | 122 | 22% higher | 33% |
5 | Bluffton | $92,421 | $2,602 | 122 | 22% higher | 34% |
6 | Johns Island | $111,300 | $2,569 | 121 | 21% higher | 28% |
7 | Fort Mill | $112,824 | $2,544 | 120 | 20% higher | 27% |
8 | Charleston | $78,353 | $2,450 | 115 | 15% higher | 38% |
9 | Piedmont | $66,651 | $2,450 | 115 | 15% higher | 44% |
10 | Simpsonville | $97,838 | $2,399 | 113 | 13% higher | 29% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Bennettsville has the lowest cost of living in South Carolina for household bills
Out of 97 cities, Bennettsville is the most affordable place in South Carolina, with residents paying $1,306 on average for household bills, accounting for 42% of annual income of $37,104. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Bennettsville is 61, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 39% below the national average.
Walhalla is the second most affordable city in South Carolina, with residents paying $1,342 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in South Carolina are Timmonsville ($1,398), Mullins ($1,411) and Lake City ($1,415).
10 Most Affordable South Carolina Cities for Household Bills
Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
88 | Westminster | $48,783 | $1,445 | 68 | 32% lower | 36% |
89 | Gaston | $50,534 | $1,443 | 68 | 32% lower | 34% |
90 | Greenwood | $45,496 | $1,442 | 68 | 32% lower | 38% |
91 | Williamston | $70,109 | $1,438 | 68 | 32% lower | 25% |
92 | Gaffney | $45,081 | $1,432 | 67 | 33% lower | 38% |
93 | Lake City | $49,141 | $1,415 | 67 | 33% lower | 35% |
94 | Mullins | $34,859 | $1,411 | 66 | 34% lower | 49% |
95 | Timmonsville | $48,352 | $1,398 | 66 | 34% lower | 35% |
96 | Walhalla | $50,854 | $1,342 | 63 | 37% lower | 32% |
97 | Bennettsville | $37,104 | $1,306 | 61 | 39% lower | 42% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in South Carolina with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.