Chesterfield, SC vs Surfside Beach, SC

The cost of living difference between Chesterfield, SC and Surfside Beach, SC is dramatic. Chesterfield is 34% cheaper than Surfside Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chesterfield has a cost index of 69 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 Chesterfield is $775/month compared to $1,274/month in Surfside Beach — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chesterfield is more affordable at $161,000 median vs $412,100.

Median household income in Chesterfield is $48,167 compared to $74,202 in Surfside Beach (-35.1%). While Surfside 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 Chesterfield spend roughly 19.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.6% in Surfside Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (61.2°F vs 64°F). Surfside Beach receives more rainfall at 48.5" per year compared to 37.9" in Chesterfield.