A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Garden City South Carolina National
Cost of living9893100
Goods & Services97100100
Groceries10299100
Health care8994100
Housing9380100
Transportation8891100
Utilities121107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Garden City, SC

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Garden City? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Garden City stands at 98, making it 2% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in Garden City is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is Garden City Affordable?

Is Garden City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Garden City, the median home price is 20.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 23.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Garden City boasting a median household income of $45,313, 18.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Garden City?

Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Garden City comes in at 21.1% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Garden City, the housing index is 7.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Garden City displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Garden City is 5% higher than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Garden City is 2% lower than the national average
  • Garden City housing is 7% lower than the national average
  • South Carolina general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • South Carolina state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Garden City

See all the best places to live around Garden City

Compare Garden City, SC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$46,048$3,837$1,074$1,382
      Renters$43,860$3,655$1,023$1,316
      The affordability of the housing market in Garden City, SC as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Garden City homeowners, the median income is $46,048. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,074 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $43,860. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $1,023 for their rent related monthly costs.

      South Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      South Carolina 6% 9%

      South Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      South Carolina 0% 7%

      Goods & Services

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.38$24.268.7%
      Beauty Salon $56.15$45.5623.2%
      Toothpaste $3.77$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.5%
      Movie $11.30$12.136.8%
      Bowling $19.43$18.008.0%

      Groceries

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.22$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.59$4.671.8%
      Potatoes $5.51$4.9311.6%
      Pizza $10.83$12.0910.4%
      Beer $10.61$10.411.9%

      Health Care

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $78.10$125.6837.9%
      Doctor $137.50$135.781.3%
      Dentist $97.17$113.2914.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.75$10.650.9%
      Lipitor $373.44$468.6020.3%

      Housing

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Home Price $146,300.00$184,700.0020.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,134.33$2,346.699.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,173.00$949.0023.6%

      Transportation

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.18$3.468.0%
      Tire Balancing $46.64$59.9222.2%

      Utilities

      Item Garden City National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $258.50$193.9933.3%
      Phone $194.25$192.251.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bucksport, SC6078415.5%
      Socastee, SC25,846981.6%
      Forestbrook, SC7,6131044.2%
      Myrtle Beach, SC33,6381055.5%
      Murrells Inlet, SC9,29211110.8%
      Garden City, SC11,193982.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Merriam, KS11,191963.6%
      Scottdale, GA11,1961065.9%
      Kalaoa, HI11,19817372.6%
      Springdale, OH11,201972.8%
      East Glenville, NY11,1841087.7%
      Garden City, SC11,193982.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.