A+
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
43%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Parker South Carolina National
Cost of living8693100
Goods & Services102100100
Groceries9899100
Health care10094100
Housing5780100
Transportation9091100
Utilities92107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Parker, SC

Knowing the cost of living in Parker 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 Parker stands at 86, marking it 14% lower than the national average.

It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Parker stands out by reporting housing costs that are 42.8% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.

Is Parker Affordable?

Is Parker 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 Parker, the median home price is 54.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 14.6% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Parker boasting a median household income of $37,556, 32.1% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Parker?

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 Parker, the healthcare costs are 0.4% lower 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 Parker, the groceries index is 1.7% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Parker, the utilities index is 7.8% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Parker displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Parker is 8% lower than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Parker is 14% lower than the national average
  • Parker 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 Parker

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Compare Parker, 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
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$38,210$3,184$892$1,146
      Renters$36,352$3,029$848$1,091
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Parker, SC, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Parker, homeowners have a median income of $38,210. Using that number, a maximum of $892 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $36,352, which means there is a maximum of $848 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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% 7%

      Goods & Services

      Item Parker National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.74$24.266.1%
      Beauty Salon $51.07$45.5612.1%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.4%
      Shampoo $1.37$1.287.2%
      Movie $14.47$12.1319.3%
      Bowling $18.39$18.002.2%

      Groceries

      Item Parker National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.24$5.846.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.50$1.574.6%
      Milk $4.56$4.672.4%
      Potatoes $5.31$4.937.6%
      Pizza $11.78$12.092.5%
      Beer $10.45$10.410.4%

      Health Care

      Item Parker National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.21$125.684.4%
      Doctor $123.75$135.788.9%
      Dentist $114.80$113.291.3%
      Ibuprofen $10.43$10.652.1%
      Lipitor $534.74$468.6014.1%

      Housing

      Item Parker National avg. Difference
      Home Price $83,400.00$184,700.0054.8%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,581.44$2,346.6932.6%
      Apartment Rent $810.00$949.0014.6%

      Transportation

      Item Parker National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.07$3.4611.2%
      Tire Balancing $56.50$59.925.7%

      Utilities

      Item Parker National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $170.53$193.9912.1%
      Phone $189.75$192.251.3%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Tigerville, SC2,023981.9%
      Slater-Marietta, SC2,0988316.6%
      Judson, SC1,4128514.8%
      West Pelzer, SC1,0498712.9%
      Pelzer, SC1,6538811.5%
      Parker, SC12,1758614.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Mendota, CA12,1731044.5%
      Braselton, GA12,17811414.3%
      Escanaba, MI12,1808217.5%
      Abbeville, LA12,1678416.0%
      Lake City, FL12,1668811.8%
      Parker, SC12,1758614.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.