B
5%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
18%
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 Summerville South Carolina National
Cost of living10593100
Goods & Services97100100
Groceries10299100
Health care8994100
Housing11880100
Transportation8891100
Utilities121107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Summerville, SC

Knowing the cost of living in Summerville allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Summerville stands at 105, marking it 5% higher than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Summerville are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Summerville can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Summerville?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 22 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Summerville and this is how they responded. 59% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 41% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Summerville Affordable?

Is Summerville 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 Summerville, the median home price is 16.8% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 21.9% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Summerville boasting a median household income of $60,271, 8.9% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Summerville?

Subsidies: Certain regions may provide government subsidies or assistance initiatives designed to alleviate the cost of living burden on their residents. These programs encompass a wide range of support mechanisms, such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas with fewer subsidy offerings might experience an elevation in their cost of living.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Summerville, the transportation index is 12.1% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Summerville, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Summerville 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 Summerville is 13% higher than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Summerville is 5% higher than the national average
  • Summerville housing is 18% higher 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 Summerville

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Compare Summerville, SC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      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$76,119$6,343$1,776$2,284
      Renters$44,299$3,692$1,034$1,329
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Summerville, SC, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Summerville homeowners, is $76,119. This would allow for a maximum of $1,776 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $44,299 which would result in a maximum of $1,034 to be spent on rental 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 Summerville 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 Summerville 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 Summerville 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 Summerville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $215,800.00$184,700.0016.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,134.33$2,346.699.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,157.00$949.0021.9%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Summerville 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.
      Lincolnville, SC2,429936.6%
      Ridgeville, SC1,849973.0%
      Sangaree, SC9,2491000.1%
      North Charleston, SC113,8801011.0%
      Ladson, SC15,2521011.2%
      Summerville, SC53,6431055.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Kingsport, TN53,6998812.0%
      West Sacramento, CA53,57413131.1%
      Aloha, OR53,72412929.3%
      Harrisonburg, VA53,5581044.3%
      Apple Valley, MN53,72811211.7%
      Summerville, SC53,6431055.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.