Garden City, SC vs Simpsonville, SC

Garden City, SC and Simpsonville, SC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.2% difference in their overall index. Garden City scores 91 while Simpsonville scores 95 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 Garden City is $1,382/month compared to $1,322/month in Simpsonville — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Simpsonville has cheaper rent, Garden City actually has lower median home values ($194,100 vs $267,500).

Median household income in Garden City is $50,027 compared to $79,233 in Simpsonville (-36.9%). While Simpsonville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Garden City spend roughly 33.2% of their income on rent, more than the 20% in Simpsonville. The Simpsonville ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64°F vs 63.3°F). Garden City receives more rainfall at 48.5" per year compared to 47" in Simpsonville.