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Cost & Benefits

Most affordable towns in South Carolina, 2026

Forestbrook is the most affordable ranked town in South Carolina. Rent, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity are 22.5% each. Gasoline is 10%. A lower score is more affordable.

Summary

101
Towns ranked in South Carolina.
Forestbrook
Number 1 in South Carolina. Rent is 12.0% of income. National rank 298.
21.7%
Median rent share among ranked towns in South Carolina.
0
Ranked South Carolina towns in the national top 100.
Hollywood
Least affordable ranked town in South Carolina. Rent is 26.5% of income. National rank 3884.

Gasoline

$4.035

per gallon. EIA does not publish a South Carolina price. This is the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) price for the week of October 12, 2026. At 12,000 miles a year and 25 mpg, that is $1,936.80 a year for every ranked town in South Carolina.

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Benefits and taxes in South Carolina

Top 25

  1. #1 in South Carolina · National #298

    Forestbrook

    Rent share 12.0% · Price level 93.6 · Score 0.233

    Median rent is $814 a month and median income is $81,286, so rent is 12.0% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro price level is 93.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  2. #2 in South Carolina · National #406

    North Augusta

    Rent share 16.3% · Price level 91.9 · Score 0.246

    Median rent is $1,169 a month and median income is $86,092, so rent is 16.3% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro price level is 91.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  3. #3 in South Carolina · National #431

    Blythewood

    Rent share 14.1% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.249

    Median rent is $1,107 a month and median income is $94,167, so rent is 14.1% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Columbia, SC metro price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  4. #4 in South Carolina · National #460

    Lyman

    Rent share 17.1% · Price level 91.1 · Score 0.253

    Median rent is $1,081 a month and median income is $75,653, so rent is 17.1% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Spartanburg, SC metro price level is 91.1 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  5. #5 in South Carolina · National #462

    Lugoff

    Rent share 15.8% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.253

    Median rent is $915 a month and median income is $69,485, so rent is 15.8% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Columbia, SC metro price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  6. #6 in South Carolina · National #463

    Georgetown

    Rent share 16.4% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.253

    Median rent is $780 a month and median income is $56,981, so rent is 16.4% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The South Carolina state price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  7. #7 in South Carolina · National #486

    Piedmont

    Rent share 17.0% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.255

    Median rent is $749 a month and median income is $52,764, so rent is 17.0% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  8. #8 in South Carolina · National #582

    Clover

    Rent share 11.8% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.267

    Median rent is $841 a month and median income is $85,450, so rent is 11.8% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  9. #9 in South Carolina · National #601

    Oak Grove

    Rent share 16.8% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.269

    Median rent is $1,045 a month and median income is $74,554, so rent is 16.8% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Columbia, SC metro price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  10. #10 in South Carolina · National #621

    Easley

    Rent share 17.1% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.271

    Median rent is $947 a month and median income is $66,299, so rent is 17.1% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  11. #11 in South Carolina · National #659

    Central

    Rent share 17.4% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.275

    Median rent is $876 a month and median income is $60,258, so rent is 17.4% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  12. #12 in South Carolina · National #699

    Greer

    Rent share 17.4% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.279

    Median rent is $1,198 a month and median income is $82,626, so rent is 17.4% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  13. #13 in South Carolina · National #712

    Wade Hampton

    Rent share 17.3% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.280

    Median rent is $1,115 a month and median income is $77,449, so rent is 17.3% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  14. #14 in South Carolina · National #729

    Powdersville

    Rent share 17.4% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.281

    Median rent is $1,232 a month and median income is $84,910, so rent is 17.4% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  15. #15 in South Carolina · National #740

    Tega Cay

    Rent share 11.9% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.282

    Median rent is $1,408 a month and median income is $142,000, so rent is 11.9% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  16. #16 in South Carolina · National #745

    Aiken

    Rent share 18.5% · Price level 91.9 · Score 0.283

    Median rent is $1,180 a month and median income is $76,746, so rent is 18.5% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro price level is 91.9 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  17. #17 in South Carolina · National #774

    White Knoll

    Rent share 17.6% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.285

    Median rent is $1,180 a month and median income is $80,246, so rent is 17.6% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Columbia, SC metro price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  18. #18 in South Carolina · National #793

    Hartsville

    Rent share 21.3% · Price level 86.8 · Score 0.287

    Median rent is $874 a month and median income is $49,272, so rent is 21.3% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Florence, SC metro price level is 86.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  19. #19 in South Carolina · National #835

    Florence

    Rent share 21.2% · Price level 86.8 · Score 0.290

    Median rent is $992 a month and median income is $56,143, so rent is 21.2% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Florence, SC metro price level is 86.8 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is regional price level and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  20. #20 in South Carolina · National #857

    Camden

    Rent share 18.0% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.292

    Median rent is $956 a month and median income is $63,576, so rent is 18.0% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Columbia, SC metro price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  21. #21 in South Carolina · National #881

    Conway

    Rent share 18.3% · Price level 93.6 · Score 0.294

    Median rent is $866 a month and median income is $56,650, so rent is 18.3% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metro price level is 93.6 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  22. #22 in South Carolina · National #904

    Seneca

    Rent share 18.6% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.296

    Median rent is $807 a month and median income is $52,022, so rent is 18.6% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The South Carolina state price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  23. #23 in South Carolina · National #925

    Fort Mill

    Rent share 14.8% · Price level 97.3 · Score 0.298

    Median rent is $1,503 a month and median income is $121,823, so rent is 14.8% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro price level is 97.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is rent share and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

  24. #24 in South Carolina · National #984

    Newberry

    Rent share 19.5% · Price level 93.7 · Score 0.302

    Median rent is $831 a month and median income is $51,260, so rent is 19.5% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The South Carolina state price level is 93.7 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  25. #25 in South Carolina · National #1085

    Five Forks

    Rent share 18.4% · Price level 93.3 · Score 0.310

    Median rent is $2,178 a month and median income is $141,786, so rent is 18.4% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro price level is 93.3 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is tax burden.

Least affordable 10

  1. #101 in South Carolina · National #3884

    Hollywood

    Rent share 26.5% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.510

    Median rent is $1,625 a month and median income is $73,693, so rent is 26.5% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  2. #100 in South Carolina · National #3769

    North Charleston

    Rent share 27.3% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.500

    Median rent is $1,430 a month and median income is $62,956, so rent is 27.3% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  3. #99 in South Carolina · National #3724

    Ladson

    Rent share 27.2% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.496

    Median rent is $1,785 a month and median income is $78,760, so rent is 27.2% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  4. #98 in South Carolina · National #3485

    Port Royal

    Rent share 27.7% · Price level 98.0 · Score 0.476

    Median rent is $1,726 a month and median income is $74,870, so rent is 27.7% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro price level is 98.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  5. #97 in South Carolina · National #3473

    Laurel Bay

    Rent share 32.1% · Price level 98.0 · Score 0.475

    Median rent is $1,454 a month and median income is $54,345, so rent is 32.1% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro price level is 98.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  6. #96 in South Carolina · National #3299

    Charleston

    Rent share 22.4% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.462

    Median rent is $1,722 a month and median income is $92,414, so rent is 22.4% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  7. #95 in South Carolina · National #3233

    Goose Creek

    Rent share 23.0% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.458

    Median rent is $1,690 a month and median income is $88,178, so rent is 23.0% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  8. #94 in South Carolina · National #3197

    Bluffton

    Rent share 24.3% · Price level 98.0 · Score 0.455

    Median rent is $2,256 a month and median income is $111,281, so rent is 24.3% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro price level is 98.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  9. #93 in South Carolina · National #3125

    Summerville

    Rent share 22.6% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.450

    Median rent is $1,526 a month and median income is $81,046, so rent is 22.6% of income, over the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is rent share.

  10. #92 in South Carolina · National #3057

    Mount Pleasant

    Rent share 20.8% · Price level 101.0 · Score 0.445

    Median rent is $2,159 a month and median income is $124,755, so rent is 20.8% of income, under the 21.7% median for ranked towns in South Carolina. The Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro price level is 101.0 (U.S. = 100). Residential electricity is 15.47 cents per kWh. Gasoline is $4.035 a gallon (Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C)). Among ranked U.S. towns, its lightest mark is gasoline price and its heaviest mark is regional price level.

The formula

A lower score is more affordable. Rent share, the regional price level, taxes, and electricity each count 22.5%. Gasoline counts 10%. Those weights are our choice. Gasoline stays at 10% because the miles figure is one national standard, not a measured town commute. This is not a government standard.

A percentile is the share of ranked towns with a strictly lower number, divided by the number of ranked towns minus one. The lowest number scores 0. Tied numbers share a percentile.

  1. Rent share = (median monthly rent × 12) / median household income. Both figures are the Census 2020–2024 medians for that place.
  2. RPP-adjusted cost is the BEA 2024 all-items regional price parity. A basket priced at 100 for the U.S. average costs this many dollars in the town's area. We use the metro index when the county is in a metro BEA publishes. Otherwise we use the state index and say so. This index includes housing, so housing also shows up in the rent share.
  3. Tax burden is the average of three percentiles. Income-tax share is state income tax plus the stored 2023 local AGI add-on, divided by the town's median household income, on a joint return. Property share is the state's median effective property-tax rate times the town's median home value, divided by income. Sales rate is the combined state and average local sales-tax rate. We do not turn the sales rate into dollars, because that would require a shopping basket we do not have.
  4. Electricity is the state residential price in cents per kilowatt-hour. Every town in a state shares it. We do not guess how many kilowatt-hours a home uses.
  5. Gasoline is the EIA retail price for all grades and all formulations, in dollars per gallon. Where EIA publishes a state series, we use that state. Every other state uses the PADD region EIA assigns to it. Census does not publish commuting miles for these towns, so annual gas spend is 12,000 miles a year divided by 25 miles per gallon, times the price. That is 480 gallons, the same for every town. Those miles are our standard, not an ACS figure and not a government mileage rule. Because the gallons do not change, the gas percentile is the percentile of the price.

    Weekly prices are for the week of October 12, 2026, from the EIA workbook released October 14, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/xls/pswrgvwall.xls. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon use West Coast (PADD 5) Except California. That series is not in the weekly workbook, so those five use the monthly price dated September 15, 2026. File: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_a_epm0_pte_dpgal_m.htm.

    • State series, week of October 12, 2026: California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington.
    • Central Atlantic (PADD 1B), week of October 12, 2026: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
    • Gulf Coast (PADD 3), week of October 12, 2026: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico.
    • Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C), week of October 12, 2026: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia.
    • Midwest (PADD 2), week of October 12, 2026: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin.
    • New England (PADD 1A), week of October 12, 2026: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
    • Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), week of October 12, 2026: Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.
    • West Coast (PADD 5) Except California, September 15, 2026: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon.

Score = 0.225 × rent percentile + 0.225 × price-level percentile + 0.225 × tax score + 0.225 × electricity percentile + 0.10 × gasoline percentile. Rank 1 is the lowest score. If scores tie, the lower rent share wins, then the lower price level, then the place slug in A-to-Z order.

Questions

What is the most affordable town in South Carolina in this index?

Forestbrook is number 1 of 101 ranked towns in South Carolina. Median rent is 12.0% of median income. Its national rank is 298.

How many towns in South Carolina were ranked?

101 towns in South Carolina have at least 5,000 people and published Census rent, income, and home value. Places missing one of those figures are left out.

Does this ranking approve benefits in South Carolina?

No. Cost & Benefits does not approve or deny benefits. The score is a cost comparison only.