Cheraw, SC vs Fairfax, SC

Fairfax is moderately more affordable than Cheraw, with a 13.7% lower cost of living index. Cheraw scores 66 compared to 58 for Fairfax, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Cheraw can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Cheraw is $806/month compared to $702/month in Fairfax — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fairfax is more affordable at $54,400 median vs $113,400.

Median household income in Cheraw is $27,275 compared to $41,328 in Fairfax (-34%). Fairfax offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cheraw spend roughly 35.5% of their income on rent, more than the 20.4% in Fairfax. The Fairfax ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.4°F vs 63.9°F). Fairfax receives more rainfall at 46.2" per year compared to 40.2" in Cheraw.