8 Most Affordable Places to Live in South Carolina in 2024
From Charleston’s colorful and well-preserved architecture, and beautiful coastline filled with iconic South Carolina beach towns, to lush landscapes, Southern cuisine, and a perfect blend of city life and miles of coastline, South Carolina is an amazing state. If you’ve been considering moving to South Carolina or are hoping to relocate to a new city, you also probably have a budget you’d like to stay under as you look for a place to live. For example, the median home sale price in South Carolina is $387,700 as of July.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 8 of the most affordable places to live in South Carolina. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $387,700. So let’s find out which cities made the list.
#1: Florence
Median home price: $231,990
Average sale price per square foot: $130
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,090
Median household income: $56,031
Nearest major metro: Myrtle Beach (70 miles)
Florence, SC homes for sale
Florence, SC apartments for rent
Claiming the first spot on our list of most affordable places to live in South Carolina is Florence. With a median home sale price of $231,990, it’s nearly $150K less than the state’s average. About 40,600 people live in Florence, which is located in the northeastern part of South Carolina. There is plenty to explore in Florence, such as the charming downtown area home to landmarks like Florence County Museum and Florence Little Theatre. You can also enjoy the scenic views at Jeffries Creek Park, a 55-acre park with plenty of trails and picnic areas.
#2: Sumter
Median home price: $250,590
Average sale price per square foot: $124
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $48,900
Nearest major metro: Columbia (45 miles)
Median household income: $1,064
Sumter, SC homes for sale
Sumter, SC apartments for rent
Home to about 42,700 residents, Sumter takes second place. It’s only a little bit more expensive than Florence, so you’ll still save substantially on home prices. In Sumter you can find places like Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Patriot Park, and Sumter Speedway – all great places to spend the day outside. Or if you’re looking for something to do indoors, you can check out the Sumter Museum, featuring historic exhibits in a stunning Edwardian house dating back to 1916.
#3: Columbia
Median home price: $260,000
Average sale price per square foot: $157
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,124
Median household income: $47,416
Columbia, SC homes for sale
Columbia, SC apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $260,000, Columbia is the third city on our list of most affordable places to live in South Carolina. Columbia is home to roughly 136,600 residents. Living in Columbia, you can visit the historic South Carolina State House, explore Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, boat, fish, or relax at Lake Murray, and see the art at the Columbia Museum of Art.
#4: Greer
Median home price: $300,000
Average sale price per square foot: $165
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,322
Median household income: $73,534
Nearest major metro: Greenville (12 miles)
Greer, SC homes for sale
Greer, SC apartments for rent
The charming city of Greer is a great affordable place to call home. About 44,300 residents live in this area, just outside of Greenville. There’s plenty to do in Greer, such as checking out the BMW Zentrum, Lake Cunningham Recreation Area, or Pelham Mill Park. Greer’s downtown is also a great place to explore, as the area is home to museums, parks, and local restaurants.
#5: Rock Hill
Median home price: $310,000
Average sale price per square foot: $206
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,552
Median household income: $51,874
Nearest major metro: Charlotte, NC (25 miles)
Rock Hill, SC homes for sale
Rock Hill, SC apartments for rent
South Carolina’s fifth most affordable city to live in is Rock Hill. When living in this city of 74,400 people, you can visit some of the green spaces like Glencairn Garden, Winthrop Lake, and Cherry Park, check out Rock Hill Downtown Historic District, and discover the exhibits at the Museum of York County.
#6: North Charleston
Median home price: $347,750
Average sale price per square foot: $195
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,356
Median household income: $47,201
Nearest major metro: Charleston (10 miles)
North Charleston, SC homes for sale
North Charleston, SC apartments for rent
Next is the city of North Charleston, which has about 114,900 residents. The median home sale price is $347,750 which is about $40K less than the median home sale price in South Carolina. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to explore the woodlands and wetlands at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, check out the Firefly Distillery, or grab a meal at one of the local restaurants.
#7: Summerville
Median home price: $355,000
Average sale price per square foot: $191
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,520
Median household income: $51,874
Nearest major metro: Charleston (26 miles)
Summerville, SC homes for sale
Summerville, SC apartments for rent
Only slightly more expensive than North Charleston is the city of Summerville, a popular city outside of Charleston. With roughly 50,900 residents in Summerville, make sure to hike along the Sawmill Branch Trail, explore downtown Summerville, and tour the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site.
#8: Goose Creek
Median home price: $355,000
Average sale price per square foot: $195
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,855
Median household income: $84,041
Nearest major metro: Charleston (17 miles)
Goose Creek, SC homes for sale
Goose Creek, SC apartments for rent
Rounding out our list of affordable places to live in South Carolina is Goose Creek. Located about 17 miles north of Charleston, Goose Creek is home to about 49,200 residents. The median home sale price is about $30K less than the state’s average, so it’s a great alternative. Goose Creek has a lot of activities, whether that’s hiking at the Wannamaker North Trail, enjoying a meal at one of the many local restaurants, or taking in the outdoors at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park.
Methodology: All cities must have over 40,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in South Carolina. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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