| Index | Garden City | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 97 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 98 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Garden City can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Garden City cost of living index is 97, which is 3% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Garden City are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Garden City can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Is Garden City an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Garden City is 19.1% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 22% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Garden City has a median household income of $66,294, which is 18.5% 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 household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Garden City, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6%, and the income tax rates commence at 0%.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from 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 crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Garden City, healthcare costs are 2.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Garden City shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $68,785 | $5,732 | $1,605 | $2,064 |
| Renters | $65,931 | $5,494 | $1,538 | $1,978 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| South Carolina | 6% | 9% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| South Carolina | 0% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bucksport, SC | 621 | 84 | 16.1% |
| Socastee, SC | 26,401 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Forestbrook, SC | 7,853 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 34,485 | 104 | 4.5% |
| Murrells Inlet, SC | 9,626 | 110 | 10.4% |
| Garden City, SC | 11,443 | 97 | 3.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Two Rivers, WI | 11,440 | 86 | 14.0% |
| Lake Grove, NY | 11,450 | 146 | 46.4% |
| Lower Burrell, PA | 11,450 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Goulds, FL | 11,451 | 114 | 14.2% |
| Middle Island, NY | 11,454 | 124 | 23.6% |
| Garden City, SC | 11,443 | 97 | 3.0% |
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