A+
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
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 Spartanburg South Carolina National
Cost of living9193100
Goods & Services96100100
Groceries9899100
Health care9794100
Housing7780100
Transportation9791100
Utilities93107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Spartanburg, SC

The cost of living in Spartanburg affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Spartanburg is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

In Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Spartanburg Affordable?

Is Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg, for instance, where the median home price falls 27.9% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 11.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Spartanburg flaunting a median household income of $42,841, 22.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Spartanburg?

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Spartanburg, the housing index comes in at 23% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg is 3% lower than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Spartanburg is 9% lower than the national average
  • Spartanburg housing is 23% 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 Spartanburg

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Compare Spartanburg, 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$59,757$4,980$1,394$1,793
      Renters$29,694$2,475$693$891
      A good way to judge both the affordability of the housing and the cost of living in Spartanburg 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. Spartanburg has a median income of about $59,757 for people who own homes. Based on that number, a maximum of $1,394 should be spent on expenses related to housing. Renters have a slightly different median income, which is $29,694. Based on this average, renters should spend no more than $693 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 Spartanburg National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.10$24.263.5%
      Beauty Salon $45.93$45.560.8%
      Toothpaste $3.67$3.700.8%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.8%
      Movie $12.15$12.130.1%
      Bowling $16.41$18.008.8%

      Groceries

      Item Spartanburg National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.46$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.58$4.671.9%
      Potatoes $5.50$4.9311.5%
      Pizza $10.64$12.0912.0%
      Beer $10.46$10.410.5%

      Health Care

      Item Spartanburg National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $108.14$125.6814.0%
      Doctor $131.80$135.782.9%
      Dentist $103.51$113.298.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.31$10.653.2%
      Lipitor $524.92$468.6012.0%

      Housing

      Item Spartanburg National avg. Difference
      Home Price $133,200.00$184,700.0027.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,758.32$2,346.6925.1%
      Apartment Rent $839.00$949.0011.6%

      Transportation

      Item Spartanburg National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.16$3.468.7%
      Tire Balancing $67.10$59.9212.0%

      Utilities

      Item Spartanburg National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $171.72$193.9911.5%
      Phone $191.25$192.250.5%
      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.
      Fingerville, SC31963.7%
      Converse, SC545963.7%
      Gramling, SC97963.7%
      Startex, SC5568020.2%
      Saxon, SC3,7278020.0%
      Spartanburg, SC37,448919.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Park Ridge, IL37,43113736.9%
      La Presa, CA37,41014444.1%
      Valley Stream, NY37,48915049.8%
      Navarre, FL37,3901109.9%
      Muskogee, OK37,3378218.4%
      Spartanburg, SC37,448919.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.