Awendaw, SC vs Surfside Beach, SC

The cost of living difference between Awendaw, SC and Surfside Beach, SC is dramatic. Surfside Beach is 44.3% cheaper than Awendaw, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Awendaw has a cost index of 152 while Surfside Beach sits at 105, 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 Awendaw is $2,792/month compared to $1,274/month in Surfside Beach — a 119% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Surfside Beach has cheaper rent, Awendaw actually has lower median home values ($387,500 vs $412,100).

Median household income in Awendaw is $70,781 compared to $74,202 in Surfside Beach (-4.6%). Surfside Beach offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Awendaw spend roughly 47.3% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Surfside Beach. The Surfside Beach ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Awendaw is notably warmer with an average of 67.2°F compared to 64°F in Surfside Beach. Surfside Beach receives more rainfall at 48.5" per year compared to 44.3" in Awendaw.