Cost of Living in Chester, SC

A+
17%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
55%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Chester South Carolina National
Cost of living8393100
Goods & Services103100100
Groceries10099100
Health care11194100
Housing4580100
Transportation9491100
Utilities89107100
New Real Estate Listings in Chester Area
Search
Search Homes for Sale in Chester, SC
See How Much House You Can Afford. Get Pre-Approved Today

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Chester is 11% lower than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Chester is 17% lower than the national average
  • Chester housing is 55% lower than the national average
  • South Carolina general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • South Carolina state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Chester

See all the best places to live around Chester

Compare Chester, SC Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Chester?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Chester?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Chester poll results

      The best places in South Carolina

      Here are the best places to live in South CarolinaMost Dangerous States In The USCheck out the 10 most dangerous cities in South CarolinaSee the best places to live in Chester

      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$41,667$3,472$972$1,250
      Renters$18,600$1,550$434$558
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Chester is by simply calculating the maximum that should be spent on housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The plan is to avoid spending more than 28 percent of the gross income on costs that pertain to housing and no more than 36 percent on all expenses and debts. Chester has a median income of about $41,667 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $972 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $18,600. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $434 on all rental costs if they want to maintain a non-impoverished standard of living.

      South Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      South Carolina 6% 9%

      South Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      South Carolina 0% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Chester National avg. Difference
      Haircut $18.25$24.2624.8%
      Beauty Salon $59.75$45.5631.1%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.8%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.280.7%
      Movie $13.55$12.1311.7%
      Bowling $21.67$18.0020.4%

      Groceries

      Item Chester National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.27$5.847.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.5%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.2%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.931.0%
      Pizza $10.96$12.099.3%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Chester National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $143.74$125.6814.4%
      Doctor $148.29$135.789.2%
      Dentist $115.52$113.292.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.77$10.651.1%
      Lipitor $467.34$468.600.3%

      Housing

      Item Chester National avg. Difference
      Home Price $67,700.00$184,700.0063.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,159.30$2,346.6934.6%
      Apartment Rent $599.00$949.0036.9%

      Transportation

      Item Chester National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.29$3.464.9%
      Tire Balancing $53.32$59.9211.0%

      Utilities

      Item Chester National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $167.89$193.9913.5%
      Phone $189.90$192.251.2%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Gayle Mill, SC8327921.1%
      Lockhart, SC4277920.8%
      Carlisle, SC5718019.8%
      Eureka Mill, SC2,1218614.5%
      Richburg, SC349937.0%
      Chester, SC5,3928317.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cowichan Valley A, BC5,392n/a 
      Pinckneyville, IL5,3917921.2%
      Fruitland, ID5,390973.5%
      Val-David, QC5,390n/a 
      Sinton, TX5,3898019.7%
      Chester, SC5,3928317.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
      General
      For Professionals
      Follow Us
      AV on Twitter AV on Facebook
      © AreaVibes Inc. 2010-2024