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Best Places to Live in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina has a cost of living index of 82 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $58,750 and a population of 2,611,112. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in South Carolina.

114
Cost Index

Tega Cay is 14% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $141,037 and a population of 13,267.

$141,037
Median Income
$1,307/mo
Median Rent
$494,500
Home Value
61°F
Avg Temp
4 Irmo
91
Cost Index

Irmo is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $85,137 and a population of 11,799.

$85,137
Median Income
$1,412/mo
Median Rent
$193,100
Home Value
64.3°F
Avg Temp
5 Ladson
100
Cost Index

Ladson is 0% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $83,031 and a population of 16,261.

$83,031
Median Income
$1,517/mo
Median Rent
$222,100
Home Value
66.5°F
Avg Temp
95
Cost Index

Mauldin is 5% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $81,027 and a population of 25,985.

$81,027
Median Income
$1,401/mo
Median Rent
$242,100
Home Value
63.3°F
Avg Temp
7 Greer
89
Cost Index

Greer is 11% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $80,030 and a population of 39,191.

$80,030
Median Income
$1,144/mo
Median Rent
$264,300
Home Value
61.3°F
Avg Temp

How We Rank the Best Places to Live

Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).

Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.