Darlington, SC vs Kiawah Island, SC

The cost of living difference between Darlington, SC and Kiawah Island, SC is dramatic. Darlington is 68.4% cheaper than Kiawah Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Darlington has a cost index of 69 while Kiawah Island sits at 217, 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.

When it comes to buying, median home values in Darlington are $163,000 compared to $1,723,200 in Kiawah Island, a 91% gap.

Median household income in Darlington is $31,240 compared to $236,607 in Kiawah Island (-86.8%). While Kiawah Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income.

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 44.3" in Kiawah Island.