Cost of Living in Duncan, SC

Population 4,175 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

68
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 Duncan a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $183,000.

Located 75 miles west of Charlotte, Duncan is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 48% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 60
Rent 80

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

About the Cost of Living in Duncan

The median home value in Duncan is $182,500 — 40% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,045/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,596/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.3%, below 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 72.3°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 3.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Duncan has a cost of living index of 68 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 32% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$182,500
40% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$305,872
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,045/mo
20% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,800/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
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 52.6%
Renter-occupied 47.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,045
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,659/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
29.1 min
8% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
87.9%
Carpooled
8.7%
Walked
2.9%
Work from home
0.5%

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
$51,596
31% below avg
Per Capita Income
$29,373
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
32% below avg
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor Force Participation
65.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.0%
Graduate degree 5.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 30.9
Male median age 30.4
Female median age 32.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.3°F
Avg Low
50.4°F
Annual Precip
49.7"
Annual Snowfall
3.9"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 535764738087908983736355
Low °F 323541495866696862504035
Precip" 4.123.844.484.044.073.904.824.663.733.593.844.58
Snow" 1.61.00.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
265
PM2.5 days
100
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
12
Public schools
9,083
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Duncan, SC?

Duncan has a cost index of 68 (100 = national average). It is 32% below the national average.

What is average rent in Duncan, SC?

The median gross rent in Duncan is $1,045 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Duncan?

The median home value in Duncan is $182,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Duncan?

The median household income in Duncan is $51,596 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Duncan, SC?

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

Is Duncan, SC affordable?

Yes, Duncan is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 68 — about 32% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Duncan?

Duncan has average high temperatures of 72.3°F and average lows of 50.4°F. Annual precipitation is 49.7". Average annual snowfall is 3.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Duncan at a Glance

Population
4,175
Median Income
$51,596
Home Value
$182,500
Median Rent
$1,045/mo
Unemployment
3.3%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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