Bluffton, SC vs Florence, SC

The cost of living difference between Bluffton, SC and Florence, SC is dramatic. Florence is 83.3% cheaper than Bluffton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Bluffton has a cost index of 136 while Florence sits at 74, 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 Bluffton is $2,187/month compared to $922/month in Florence — a 137% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Florence is more affordable at $189,800 median vs $444,500.

Median household income in Bluffton is $105,463 compared to $56,433 in Florence (+86.9%). While Bluffton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Bluffton spend roughly 24.9% of their income on rent, more than the 19.6% in Florence.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.5°F vs 64.7°F). Bluffton receives more rainfall at 48.1" per year compared to 45.3" in Florence.