Irmo, SC vs Surfside Beach, SC

Irmo is moderately more affordable than Surfside Beach, with a 13.3% lower cost of living index. Irmo scores 91 compared to 105 for Surfside Beach, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Surfside Beach can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Irmo is $1,412/month compared to $1,274/month in Surfside Beach — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Surfside Beach has cheaper rent, Irmo actually has lower median home values ($193,100 vs $412,100).

Median household income in Irmo is $85,137 compared to $74,202 in Surfside Beach (+14.7%). Irmo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Irmo spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, less than the 20.6% in Surfside Beach.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.3°F vs 64°F). Surfside Beach receives more rainfall at 48.5" per year compared to 45.2" in Irmo.