Summerville, SC vs Sumter, SC

The cost of living difference between Summerville, SC and Sumter, SC is dramatic. Sumter is 31.7% cheaper than Summerville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Summerville has a cost index of 103 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 Summerville is $1,414/month compared to $1,055/month in Sumter — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sumter is more affordable at $188,400 median vs $295,700.

Median household income in Summerville is $78,621 compared to $53,071 in Sumter (+48.1%). While Summerville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Summerville spend roughly 21.6% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Sumter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (66.5°F vs 65.5°F). Summerville receives more rainfall at 52.5" per year compared to 43.7" in Sumter.