Cost of Living in Lake City, SC

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13%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Groceries NAT. AVG.
43%
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 Lake City South Carolina National
Cost of living8794100
Groceries9999100
Health care10098100
Housing5781100
Transportation10099100
Utilities103101100
Lifestyle & Entertainment9998100
Household Items9999100
Education & Childcare9898100
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Homes For Sale In Lake City, SC

property for sale

1302 Bragdon Rd

Lake City, SC
property for sale

452 Tram Rd

Cades, SC
property for sale

L 11 Bl A Scl Rr: Near Charleston Ave Charleston Ave

Lake City, SC
property for sale

128 Lake St

Lake City, SC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Lake City is 7% lower than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Lake City is 13% lower than the national average
  • Lake City housing is 43% 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 Lake City

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Compare Lake City, 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$66,605$5,550$1,554$1,998
      Renters$33,189$2,766$774$996
      The affordability of the housing market in Lake City, SC as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Lake City homeowners, the median income is $66,605. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,554 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $33,189. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $774 for their rent related monthly 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% 6.5%

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Scranton, SC7698316.7%
      Stuckey, SC3588416.3%
      Coward, SC5718514.8%
      Kingstree, SC3,1648614.5%
      Olanta, SC6068911.1%
      Lake City, SC6,8038713.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Eatonton, GA6,8078713.5%
      Atlantic, IA6,8078812.1%
      Alnwick/Haldimand, ON6,807n/a 
      Talent, OR6,79711211.7%
      Red Chute, LA6,809963.8%
      Lake City, SC6,8038713.2%
      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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