Darlington, SC vs Port Royal, SC

The cost of living difference between Darlington, SC and Port Royal, SC is dramatic. Darlington is 35.8% cheaper than Port Royal, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Darlington has a cost index of 69 while Port Royal sits at 107, 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 Darlington is $801/month compared to $1,606/month in Port Royal — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Darlington is more affordable at $163,000 median vs $298,000.

Median household income in Darlington is $31,240 compared to $70,330 in Port Royal (-55.6%). While Port Royal is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Darlington spend roughly 30.8% of their income on rent, more than the 27.4% in Port Royal. The Port Royal 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 Port Royal.