Darlington, SC vs Estill, SC

Estill is moderately more affordable than Darlington, with a 10% lower cost of living index. Darlington scores 69 compared to 62 for Estill, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Darlington can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Darlington is $801/month compared to $760/month in Estill — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Estill is more affordable at $79,500 median vs $163,000.

Median household income in Darlington is $31,240 compared to $36,547 in Estill (-14.5%). Estill offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Darlington spend roughly 30.8% of their income on rent, more than the 25% in Estill. The Estill ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.7°F vs 67.2°F). Darlington receives more rainfall at 45.3" per year compared to 45" in Estill.