A
11%
Overall NAT. AVG.
2%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
38%
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 Orangeburg South Carolina National
Cost of living8993100
Goods & Services98100100
Groceries9999100
Health care8694100
Housing6280100
Transportation8291100
Utilities131107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Orangeburg, SC

Understanding the cost of living in Orangeburg 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 Orangeburg cost of living index is 89, which is 11% lower 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.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Orangeburg?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 8 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Orangeburg and this is how they responded. 38% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 63% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Orangeburg Affordable?

Is Orangeburg an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Orangeburg is 41.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 28% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Orangeburg has a median household income of $28,587, which is 48.3% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Orangeburg?

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in Orangeburg starts at 6% and the income tax rates start at 0%.

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Orangeburg, the transportation index is 18.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Orangeburg 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.

New Real Estate Listings in Orangeburg Area
Search Homes for Sale in Orangeburg, SC

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Orangeburg is 5% lower than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Orangeburg is 11% lower than the national average
  • Orangeburg housing is 38% 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 Orangeburg

See all the best places to live around Orangeburg

Compare Orangeburg, SC Cost of Living

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

      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$48,616$4,051$1,134$1,459
      Renters$15,455$1,288$361$464
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Orangeburg, SC, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Orangeburg, the median monthly income is $48,616 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,134 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $15,455, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $361 on monthly rental expenses.

      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 Orangeburg National avg. Difference
      Haircut $20.75$24.2614.5%
      Beauty Salon $30.56$45.5632.9%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.33$1.283.6%
      Movie $12.93$12.136.6%
      Bowling $24.33$18.0035.2%

      Groceries

      Item Orangeburg National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.15$5.845.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.61$4.671.3%
      Potatoes $5.50$4.9311.5%
      Pizza $10.35$12.0914.4%
      Beer $10.53$10.411.1%

      Health Care

      Item Orangeburg National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $59.00$125.6853.1%
      Doctor $150.00$135.7810.5%
      Dentist $78.33$113.2930.9%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $416.30$468.6011.2%

      Housing

      Item Orangeburg National avg. Difference
      Home Price $107,700.00$184,700.0041.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,725.28$2,346.6926.5%
      Apartment Rent $683.00$949.0028.0%

      Transportation

      Item Orangeburg National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.22$3.466.9%
      Tire Balancing $32.03$59.9246.5%

      Utilities

      Item Orangeburg National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $290.58$193.9949.8%
      Phone $192.75$192.250.3%
      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.
      Neeses, SC3527722.6%
      Livingston, SC1508218.0%
      Edisto, SC1,9938217.7%
      Bowman, SC6178416.5%
      Norway, SC3928415.9%
      Orangeburg, SC12,7138911.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Fort Bliss, TX12,70911010.5%
      Tehachapi, CA12,71811716.5%
      Geneva, NY12,7209010.4%
      Wickliffe, OH12,720928.5%
      East Islip, NY12,72214747.1%
      Orangeburg, SC12,7138911.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.