Florence, SC vs Sumter, SC

Florence, SC and Sumter, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.4% difference in their overall index. Florence scores 74 while Sumter scores 78 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Florence is $922/month compared to $1,055/month in Sumter — a 13% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Florence has cheaper rent, Sumter actually has lower median home values ($188,400 vs $189,800).

Median household income in Florence is $56,433 compared to $53,071 in Sumter (+6.3%). Florence offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Florence spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Sumter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.7°F vs 65.5°F). Florence receives more rainfall at 45.3" per year compared to 43.7" in Sumter.