Top rated colleges, beautiful beaches, and excellent healthcare have motivated more than 90,000 people to move to South Carolina. But it’s not that easy for everyone. With a median home price of 298K, South Carolina can be expensive.
Should that stop you from moving to the Palmetto State? Absolutely NOT!
Cities like Bennettsville and Union offer several budget-friendly options. While Bennettsville offers the cost of living 30.3% lower than the national average, the median home price in Union is $124K.
Whether you’re a retiree or a young professional looking for exciting opportunities, South Carolina has affordable housing for everyone. Let’s explore some of the cheapest places to live in South Carolina!
4 Reasons to live in South Carolina ⛳
- Cheaper Houses: The median home sale price in South Carolina is ~$301K but you can get houses between $87K and $286K in cities like Bennettsville, Orangeburg, and Conway.
- Tax Benefits: Residents over the age of 65 can benefit from a $15,000 income tax deduction, applicable to all forms of retirement income.
- Affordable Healthcare: Healthcare in cities that are listed below is up to 6% lower than the national average.
- Cheaper Rentals: The rent prices of these cities are lower than the national average. You can save up to $149 per month in rent.
Cheapest Places to Live in South Carolina in 2024
This list provides insights into the average household income, median listing price, population, unemployment rate, and poverty rate of the cities.
| City | Median Household Income | Median Home Value | Population | Unemployment Rate | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon | $42,454 | $93,781 | 6,354 | 4.1% | 30.3% |
| Bennettsville | $37,891 | $87,296 | 6,654 | 6.3% | 27.1% |
| Union | $32,548 | $124,709 | 7,939 | 3.8% | 25.4% |
| Orangeburg | $41,020 | $158,505 | 12,480 | 4.4% | 24.6% |
| Laurens | $52,077 | $165,659 | 9,393 | 3.2% | 18.0% |
| Newberry | $47,565 | $178,653 | 10,726 | 2/9% | 26.7% |
| Gaffney | $38,059 | $179,787 | 12,454 | 4.4% | 23.1% |
| Conway | $48,161 | $286,928 | 27,985 | 4.6% | 20.2% |
| Aiken | $65,712 | $263,114 | 32,947 | 3.7% | 15.98% |
| Florence | $56,031 | $215,927 | 40,609 | 4.5% | 18.84% |
10 Cheapest Places to Live in SC
The annual population growth of 14% since 2010 is reflective of people’s intention to move to South Carolina. If you’re considering shifting to the Palmetto State, here are some cities that offer affordable living options:
1. Dillon
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 28.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $93,781 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $850 |
| 🌅 Known For | Dillon County Courthouse |
Dillon is an affordable place to live in South Carolina. Its median house rent ranges from $325 – $1,800. It also offers affordable grocery which is 7% lower than the national average.
Dillon provides recreational options such as golf and is home to various attractions like Little Pee Dee State Park and South of the Border. This contributes to the city’s reputation as a noteworthy destination in South Carolina. Apart from this, the city is home to major companies like Herald Office Solutions and Wyman-Gordon for job seekers.
» Homes for Sale in Dillon, SC: Find your dream home in the least expensive cities to live in SC.
2. Bennettsville
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 30.3%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $87,296 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $650 |
| 🏞️ Known For | Agricultural Communities |
Bennettsville is one of the most budget-friendly places in South Carolina with an average home rent of $900 – $950. It also offers affordable transportation which is 33.1% lower than the national average.
Bennettsville is a great place for people looking to buy a home. The city is a haven for agriculture and fishing delights. Moreover, the city has thriving job market with major employers like Marley Engineered Products and Domtar that offers job options.
» Homes for Sale in Bennettsville, SC: Search houses in most affordable city to live in South Carolina.
3. Union
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 29%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $124,709 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $650 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Textile Industry |
With rental costs below the national average, Union stands as one of the most affordable cities to live in South Carolina. The house rent price is between $600 – $1,695.
Places like Sumter National Forest and the Union County Museum make Union a charming place to live. The region also boasts a high quality of life, with inviting communities and a wealth of cultural diversity.
Besides this, Union is a city with ample of job opportunities for job seekers. Companies like Union County Ems and Allen Tate are the top two employers.
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4. Orangeburg
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 25.8%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $158,505 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,000 |
| 🏖️ Known For | Edisto Memorial Gardens |
Orangeburg offers budget-friendly living with a median rent that is $688 lower than the national median. Moreover, the healthcare costs are 5.9% below the national average in the city.
Orangeburg is a great place due to attractions like Edisto Memorial Gardens, holding events year-round. It’s near the budget-friendly capital, making it an excellent choice. Also, this city has ample of employment options. For job seekers, there are top companies like Zeus Industrial Products and Regional Medical Center in manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
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5. Laurens
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 23%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $165,659 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $650 |
| 🎨 Known For | Eclectic Architecture |
Also known as ‘Laurensville,’ Laurens’ cost of living is 23% lower than the national average. The average grocery expenses are 6.1% lower than the national average.
Laurens’ affordable food, health, housing, and transportation facilities make the city one of the cheapest places to live in the US. Besides this, the city is home to renowned companies like CeramTec North America and Laurens Electric Cooperative. It offers many job options for the residents.
» Homes for Sale in Laurens, SC: Find homes in cheapest cities to live in South Carolina.
6. Newberry
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 21.9%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $178,653 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,250 |
| 🏫 Known For | Mining |
The house rent in Newberry is between $850 – $2,100. With an average household income of $47,565, this city is one of the cheap affordable places to live.
Situated in the Piedmont region, Newberry enjoys a convenient location just 43 miles northwest of Columbia, the capital city of South Carolina. The city also boasts many parks like Lynch’s Woods Park and Mollohon Park which offer various opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure.
Moreover, job market in this city is strong. Companies like Newberry Electric Cooperative and Reinhart Foodservice are top employers here.
» Homes for Sale in Newberry, SC: Find a home in one of the cheapest places to live in South Carolina.
7. Gaffney
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 27.5%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $179,787 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $990 |
| 🖼️ Known For | The Peachoid |
Gaffney is one of the best places to live in South Carolina. The monthly expenditure on health, food, and transportation per month is 22% to 34% below the national average. This makes it one of the most cheap places to live in the South Carolina.
Gaffney is known as the hidden gem of South Carolina. The city is known for great employee benefits, affordable living, and opportunities to invest in real estate. This makes it a great choice for real estate investors.
» Homes for Sale in Gaffney, SC: Get yourself a home in one of the inexpensive cities to live in SC.
8. Conway
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 9.6%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $286,928 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,875 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Rich History |
With median home price of $76,510 lower than the national average, Conway is one of the most affordable places to live in South Carolina. The transportation costs in this city is also 12.1% lower than the US average.
Apart from this, the city boasts major employers such as Conway Medical Center and Horry Telephone Cooperative. This city offers ample of job opportunities for job seekers.
» Homes for Sale in Conway, SC: Find cheap houses in South Carolina.
9. Aiken
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 15.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $263,114 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,815 |
| 🏇 Known For | Horse Racing |
The cost of living in Aiken is 15.4% lower than the national average. This means that your overall expenses are expected to be less than the US average. Housing costs in Aiken are also 31.3% less.
Moreover, the city has some career opportunities for job seekers as well. AGY and USC Aiken, along with other major employers, contribute to the city’s abundant job options.
» Homes for Sale in Aiken, SC: Find cheap homes in South Carolina.
10. Florence
| 🟢 Cost of Living Compared to National Average | 20.4%⬇️ |
| 🏡 Median Home Price | $215,927 |
| 💲 Median Rent | $1,300 |
| 🖼️ Known For | Scenery |
Florence is one of the cheapest city to live in South Carolina. The cost of living in this city is 20.4% lower than the national average. Housing is also very affordable at rent averaging $1,300.
Apart from this, Transportation costs is 22.2% lower than the national average. The city also has major employers like McLeod Health and ACS Technologies. Florence has a youthful population and a decent school system which is best suited for young families.
» Homes for Sale in Florence, SC: Get yourself homes in one of the cheap places to live in South Carolina.
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The Bottom Line
If you want to move to South Carolina, you will find cheap houses for sale in South Carolina under 150K in cities like Dillon, Bennettsville, and Union. They also offer stable job opportunities, and a low cost of living which is more affordable than other South Carolina cities.
Cities like Conway and Aiken have a slightly expensive cost of living but provide better job opportunities. You must research the city’s home prices and living costs before relocating.
» Free Home Value Estimator: Get an estimate of property values with South Carolina’s most accurate home value estimator.
Find Homes for Sale in SC Under Your Specific Budget
» Best Rental Websites in America: Can’t find your dream home within your budget? Explore thousands of listings on the nation’s top rental websites.
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Research Methodology
We’ve created this list by considering factors such as cost of living, median home price, and rental price range. We have also accounted for the population, median household income, poverty rate, and unemployment rate in these cities.
To compile this list of the cheapest areas to live in South Carolina, we have drawn data from the Economic Research Institute, World Population Review, Rent Cafe, Zillow and Best Places.
FAQs
Which is the cheapest place to live in South Carolina?
The cheapest place to live in South Carolina is Dillon.
» 10 Cheapest Places to Live in South Carolina: Find out the other cheapest places to live in South Carolina!
Where is the best place to live in South Carolina?
The best place to live in South Carolina is Charleston, followed by Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Summerville, Greenville, Mount Pleasant, and Rock Hill.
Is South Carolina the cheapest place to live in?
No, it is not. The median home value is $301,130. If you're looking for South Carolina's biggest cities with affordable housing and a low cost of living, you can try your luck in some of these cheapest places in America.
