| Index | James Island | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 125 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 185 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 98 | 100 |
The cost of living in James Island affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in James Island is 125, which is 25% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The cost of living in James Island is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, James Island falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the James Island cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 85.3%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Is James Island affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take James Island, for instance, where the median home price falls 92% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 69.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with James Island flaunting a median household income of $121,553, 49.5% higher than the national norm.
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 James Island, the transportation index is 4.4% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday household expenses like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in James Island starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 0%.
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 James Island, healthcare costs are 0.1% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for James Island 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 | $125,894 | $10,491 | $2,937 | $3,777 |
| Renters | $90,059 | $7,505 | $2,101 | $2,702 |
| 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. |
| North Charleston, SC | 117,218 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Hanahan, SC | 26,450 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Charleston, SC | 142,427 | 123 | 22.8% |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 91,527 | 140 | 40.4% |
| Rockville, SC | 137 | 153 | 53.0% |
| James Island, SC | 12,534 | 125 | 25.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Andrews, MB | 12,535 | n/a | |
| Fortuna, CA | 12,532 | 124 | 23.5% |
| Enumclaw, WA | 12,536 | 127 | 27.1% |
| Freeport, TX | 12,541 | 87 | 12.7% |
| Poquoson, VA | 12,541 | 127 | 26.9% |
| James Island, SC | 12,534 | 125 | 25.4% |
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