Cost of Living in Chester, SC

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18%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
56%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living score is 90, then the estimated cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. If the score is 110, then the estimated cost of living is 10% higher than average. The overall index is calculated using weighted estimates across major everyday expense categories, including housing (30%), groceries (16%), transportation (12%), healthcare (10%), utilities (8%), lifestyle and entertainment (8%), household expenses (8%), and education and childcare (8%). All values are AI-assisted city-level estimates designed for directional comparisons.
Index Chester South Carolina National
Cost of living8294100
Groceries9699100
Health care9898100
Housing4481100
Transportation9999100
Utilities102101100
Lifestyle & Entertainment10098100
Household Items9699100
Education & Childcare10298100
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Homes For Sale In Chester, SC

property for sale

113 Brookwood St

Chester, SC
property for sale

620 McDowell Dr

Chester, SC
property for sale

128 W End St

Chester, SC
property for sale

120 Sunset Dr

Chester, SC
See the Newest Homes For Sale In Chester, SC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Chester is 12% lower than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Chester is 18% lower than the national average
  • Chester housing is 56% 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 Chester

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Compare Chester, 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
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index
      Lifestyle index
      Household index
      Educare index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$61,120$5,093$1,426$1,834
      Renters$28,069$2,339$655$842
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Chester is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Chester has a median income of about $61,120 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,426 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $28,069. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $655 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      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% 6.5%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gayle Mill, SC8567821.6%
      Lockhart, SC4398119.2%
      Carlisle, SC5848218.5%
      Eureka Mill, SC2,1658515.3%
      Richburg, SC357927.8%
      Chester, SC5,5568217.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Manitou Springs, CO5,55613333.4%
      Vinita, OK5,5568415.6%
      Berlin, WI5,5558911.5%
      Cavalero, WA5,55714242.3%
      West Pleasant View, CO5,55912424.3%
      Chester, SC5,5568217.7%
      Date & Last Updated: These cost of living estimates reflect 2026 modeled data using U.S. Census housing inputs and AI-assisted city-level pricing models.
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