Arcadia, SC vs Folly Beach, SC

The cost of living difference between Arcadia, SC and Folly Beach, SC is dramatic. Arcadia is 55.8% cheaper than Folly Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Arcadia has a cost index of 76 while Folly Beach sits at 172, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcadia is $1,181/month compared to $1,930/month in Folly Beach — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Arcadia is more affordable at $103,800 median vs $951,200.

Median household income in Arcadia is $37,574 compared to $97,813 in Folly Beach (-61.6%). While Folly Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcadia spend roughly 37.7% of their income on rent, more than the 23.7% in Folly Beach. The Folly Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Folly Beach is notably warmer with an average of 67.2°F compared to 61.3°F in Arcadia. Arcadia receives more rainfall at 49.7" per year compared to 44.3" in Folly Beach.