| Index | Goose Creek | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 106 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 121 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 98 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Goose Creek 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 Goose Creek stands at 106, marking it 6% higher than the national average.
In Goose Creek, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Goose Creek will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Goose Creek cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 21.5% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 6 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Goose Creek. The results indicated that 83% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 17% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.
Is Goose Creek 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 Goose Creek, the median home price is 12.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 41.5% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Goose Creek boasting a median household income of $113,429, 39.5% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Goose Creek, the healthcare costs are 0.1% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Goose Creek, the groceries index is 0.4% higher than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Goose Creek, the housing index comes in at 21.5% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Goose Creek 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.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $125,469 | $10,456 | $2,927 | $3,764 |
| Renters | $82,642 | $6,887 | $1,928 | $2,480 |
| 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. |
| Lincolnville, SC | 2,508 | 93 | 7.2% |
| Sangaree, SC | 9,505 | 99 | 1.5% |
| North Charleston, SC | 117,218 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Ladson, SC | 15,636 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Moncks Corner, SC | 11,816 | 102 | 2.0% |
| Goose Creek, SC | 44,214 | 106 | 6.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Altadena, CA | 44,242 | 189 | 88.7% |
| Rohnert Park, CA | 44,183 | 157 | 56.5% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 44,143 | 107 | 7.4% |
| Farmers Branch, TX | 44,287 | 106 | 5.9% |
| Innisfil, ON | 44,305 | n/a | |
| Goose Creek, SC | 44,214 | 106 | 6.4% |