Darlington, SC vs Westminster, SC

Westminster is moderately more affordable than Darlington, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Darlington scores 69 compared to 65 for Westminster, 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 $583/month in Westminster — a 37% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Westminster has cheaper rent, Darlington actually has lower median home values ($163,000 vs $175,600).

Median household income in Darlington is $31,240 compared to $38,393 in Westminster (-18.6%). Westminster 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 18.2% in Westminster. The Westminster ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Darlington is notably warmer with an average of 64.7°F compared to 61.4°F in Westminster. Westminster receives more rainfall at 49" per year compared to 45.3" in Darlington.