Cost of Living in Cayce, SC

Population 13,718 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

73
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Cayce a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $159,000.

Cayce sits roughly 10 miles southwest of Columbia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Columbia's $244,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 52
Rent 103

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Cayce

The median home value in Cayce is $158,900 — 48% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,358/month, 3% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,095/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, above the national average of 4.8%. South Carolina's top state income tax rate is 6.4% and the combined sales tax is 7.5%. The climate averages highs of 76.0°F and lows of 54.9°F. Overall, Cayce has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$158,900
48% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$207,426
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,358/mo
3% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,530/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$807
1 BR
$841
2 BR
$1,028
3 BR
$1,294
4 BR
$1,567
Owner-occupied 59.1%
Renter-occupied 40.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,358
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,972/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
22.0 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.1%
Carpooled
6.3%
Walked
1.5%
Work from home
5.6%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.4%
Total Sales Tax 7.5%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.5%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$58,095
22% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,261
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
10% above avg
Poverty Rate
17.8%
Labor Force Participation
66.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.6%
Graduate degree 13.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.9
Male median age 31.6
Female median age 42

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.0°F
Avg Low
54.9°F
Annual Precip
43.7"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576169778490939186776760
Low °F 374046536270737267564439
Precip" 3.413.273.482.702.954.774.804.654.333.072.783.47

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
64.4%
Good air days/yr
77
Max AQI recorded
140
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Cayce, SC?

Cayce has a cost index of 73 (100 = national average). It is 27% below the national average.

What is average rent in Cayce, SC?

The median gross rent in Cayce is $1,358 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Cayce?

The median home value in Cayce is $158,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Cayce?

The median household income in Cayce is $58,095 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Cayce, SC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Cayce is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.

Is Cayce, SC affordable?

Yes, Cayce is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 73 — about 27% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Cayce?

Cayce has average high temperatures of 76.0°F and average lows of 54.9°F. Annual precipitation is 43.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Cayce at a Glance

Population
13,718
Median Income
$58,095
Home Value
$158,900
Median Rent
$1,358/mo
Unemployment
5.3%
Avg High Temp
76.0°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
View all cities in South Carolina →
🗺️ County data for South Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

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