Port Royal, SC vs Sumter, SC

The cost of living difference between Port Royal, SC and Sumter, SC is dramatic. Sumter is 37.1% cheaper than Port Royal, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Port Royal has a cost index of 107 while Sumter sits at 78, 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 Port Royal is $1,606/month compared to $1,055/month in Sumter — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sumter is more affordable at $188,400 median vs $298,000.

Median household income in Port Royal is $70,330 compared to $53,071 in Sumter (+32.5%). The higher salaries in Port Royal partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Port Royal spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 23.9% in Sumter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.2°F vs 65.5°F). Port Royal receives more rainfall at 45" per year compared to 43.7" in Sumter.