A-
1%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
5%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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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 Ladson South Carolina National
Cost of living10193100
Goods & Services97100100
Groceries10299100
Health care8994100
Housing10580100
Transportation8891100
Utilities121107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Ladson, SC

Understanding the cost of living in Ladson can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Ladson cost of living index is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

In Ladson, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Ladson will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Ladson Affordable?

Is Ladson affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Ladson, for instance, where the median home price falls 4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 25.4% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Ladson flaunting a median household income of $63,820, 15.4% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Ladson?

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Ladson, the groceries index is 1.7% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Ladson, the housing index is 4.9% higher than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Ladson, the utilities index registers 21.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Ladson displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Ladson is 9% higher than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Ladson is 1% higher than the national average
  • Ladson housing is 5% higher 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 Ladson

See all the best places to live around Ladson

Compare Ladson, SC Cost of Living

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      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$68,529$5,711$1,599$2,056
      Renters$57,961$4,830$1,352$1,739
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Ladson, SC, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Ladson, homeowners have a median income of $68,529. Using that number, a maximum of $1,599 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $57,961, which means there is a maximum of $1,352 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      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 Ladson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.38$24.268.7%
      Beauty Salon $56.15$45.5623.2%
      Toothpaste $3.77$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.5%
      Movie $11.30$12.136.8%
      Bowling $19.43$18.008.0%

      Groceries

      Item Ladson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.22$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.59$4.671.8%
      Potatoes $5.51$4.9311.6%
      Pizza $10.83$12.0910.4%
      Beer $10.61$10.411.9%

      Health Care

      Item Ladson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $78.10$125.6837.9%
      Doctor $137.50$135.781.3%
      Dentist $97.17$113.2914.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.75$10.650.9%
      Lipitor $373.44$468.6020.3%

      Housing

      Item Ladson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $177,400.00$184,700.004.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,134.33$2,346.699.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,190.00$949.0025.4%

      Transportation

      Item Ladson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.18$3.468.0%
      Tire Balancing $46.64$59.9222.2%

      Utilities

      Item Ladson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $258.50$193.9933.3%
      Phone $194.25$192.251.0%
      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.
      Lincolnville, SC2,429936.6%
      Ridgeville, SC1,849973.0%
      Sangaree, SC9,2491000.1%
      North Charleston, SC113,8801011.0%
      Moncks Corner, SC11,3701011.5%
      Ladson, SC15,2521011.2%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Rancho Dominguez, CA15,25213736.7%
      Mercier, QC15,257n/a 
      Bay Village, OH15,2581077.4%
      Salida, CA15,26913131.4%
      Hartford, WI15,2281011.1%
      Ladson, SC15,2521011.2%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.