South ranking
4 South Carolina cities ranked by cost of living, cheapest first.
Index 87
Index 150
Sorted by cost-of-living index — lowest (most affordable) first.
| # | City | Cost index | Median rent | Median income | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | 87 | $1,105/mo | $54,095 | 137K | Compare → |
| 2 | North Charleston | 102 | $1,288/mo | $58,534 | 116K | Compare → |
| 3 | Charleston | 120 | $1,517/mo | $83,891 | 150K | Compare → |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | 150 | $1,901/mo | $115,167 | 91K | Compare → |
Across South Carolina, Columbia is the most affordable city we track (cost index 87, with median rent around $1,105/mo), while Mount Pleasant sits at the top of the range with an index of 150—roughly 72% pricier than Columbia. Use the table above to compare any South Carolina city directly against Columbia.
The other end of the ranking — priciest first.