South Carolina Living Report — October 08, 2026

South Carolina has emerged as one of the Southeast’s most compelling destinations, drawing a steady stream of new residents with its mix of Southern charm, coastal geography, and relatively gentle price tags. With a population of just over 5.1 million, the Palmetto State is growing, and for good reason. But what does the financial and social reality actually look like for someone considering the move? The data paints a picture of a state that is affordable compared to national averages, though not without its own economic tensions.

From a cost-of-living perspective, South Carolina offers a noticeable reprieve for those relocating from pricier regions. The median household income sits at $63,623, which is slightly below the national median, but it goes further here. Housing is the most significant factor in this equation. The median home value is a modest $216,200, making homeownership attainable for many middle-class buyers who would be priced out elsewhere. For renters, the median price for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,065 per month. Crunching those numbers against the median income reveals that a single earner spending roughly $12,780 annually on rent would be allocating approximately 20 percent of their gross income to housing—well below the common 30 percent threshold for affordability, leaving breathing room for other expenses.

The job market is a mixed bag but is holding steady. The unemployment rate sits at a low 4.3 percent as of August 2026, indicating a healthy demand for labor.

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Browse utility costs, housing data, Census demographics, and climate data for all 207 tracked cities in South Carolina.

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated October 08, 2026.

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