Gaffney, SC vs Surfside Beach, SC

The cost of living difference between Gaffney, SC and Surfside Beach, SC is dramatic. Gaffney is 34.2% cheaper than Surfside Beach, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gaffney has a cost index of 69 while Surfside Beach sits at 105, 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 Gaffney is $822/month compared to $1,274/month in Surfside Beach — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gaffney is more affordable at $141,100 median vs $412,100.

Median household income in Gaffney is $41,214 compared to $74,202 in Surfside Beach (-44.5%). While Surfside Beach is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gaffney spend roughly 23.9% of their income on rent, more than the 20.6% in Surfside Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (62.1°F vs 64°F). Surfside Beach receives more rainfall at 48.5" per year compared to 43.3" in Gaffney.