Cost of Living in Five Forks, SC

Population 19,093 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

149
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 Five Forks a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $425,000.

Five Forks lies roughly 85 miles west of the nearest major metro, Charlotte — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 21% higher than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 139
Rent 163

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

About the Cost of Living in Five Forks

The median home value in Five Forks is $424,600 — 39% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,139/month, 63% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $140,668/year is 89% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, 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, Five Forks has a cost of living index of 149 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 49% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$424,600
39% above avg
Median Rent
$2,139/mo
63% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5x
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 88.2%
Renter-occupied 11.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,139
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,753/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
28.0 min
4% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.7%
Carpooled
6.1%
Walked
1.1%
Work from home
13.8%

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
$140,668
89% above avg
Per Capita Income
$56,235
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
23% below avg
Poverty Rate
2.1%
Labor Force Participation
64.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 41.0%
Graduate degree 23.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.4
Male median age 34.7
Female median age 42.8

🌤 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 52 — Moderate
45.8%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
229
PM2.5 days
134
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Five Forks, SC?

Five Forks has a cost index of 149 (100 = national average). It is 49% above the national average.

What is average rent in Five Forks, SC?

The median gross rent in Five Forks is $2,139 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Five Forks?

The median home value in Five Forks is $424,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Five Forks?

The median household income in Five Forks is $140,668 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Five Forks, SC?

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

Is Five Forks, SC affordable?

Five Forks is above average in cost of living, with an index of 149 — about 49% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Five Forks?

Five Forks 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.

Five Forks at a Glance

Population
19,093
Median Income
$140,668
Home Value
$424,600
Median Rent
$2,139/mo
Unemployment
3.7%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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