Cost of Living in Conway, SC

Population 26,082 · 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

Conway lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $236,000 — 23% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in South Carolina. Around 20% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Conway is about 70 miles west of Wilmington, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 33% lower than Wilmington's $350,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 77
Rent 67

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

About the Cost of Living in Conway

The median home value in Conway is $236,300 — 23% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $881/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $54,841/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.2%, 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 72.7°F and lows of 55.3°F. Overall, Conway has a cost of living index of 73 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 27% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$236,300
23% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$285,833
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$881/mo
33% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,722/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.4x
Favors renting
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 63.5%
Renter-occupied 36.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$881
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,495/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
24.8 min
8% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.2%
Carpooled
9.7%
Public transit
1.9%
Walked
3.5%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
5.5%

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
$54,841
26% below avg
Per Capita Income
$25,243
Unemployment Rate
8.2%
71% above avg
Poverty Rate
20.3%
Labor Force Participation
49.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.5%
Graduate degree 8.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.3
Male median age 31.6
Female median age 35.8

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.7°F
Avg Low
55.3°F
Annual Precip
48.5"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 565865727985888783766659
Low °F 374045536270747368564640
Precip" 3.013.183.592.772.964.075.406.256.654.203.293.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
71.7%
Good air days/yr
100
Max AQI recorded
189
PM2.5 days
143
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

83%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
56
Public schools
45,759
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Conway, SC?

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

What is average rent in Conway, SC?

The median gross rent in Conway is $881 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Conway?

The median home value in Conway is $236,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Conway?

The median household income in Conway is $54,841 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Conway, SC?

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

Is Conway, SC affordable?

Yes, Conway 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 Conway?

Conway has average high temperatures of 72.7°F and average lows of 55.3°F. Annual precipitation is 48.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Conway at a Glance

Population
26,082
Median Income
$54,841
Home Value
$236,300
Median Rent
$881/mo
Unemployment
8.2%
Avg High Temp
72.7°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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