Cost of Living in Forest Acres, SC

Population 10,491 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

87
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Forest Acres is a smaller South Carolina community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $76,417 and housing costs ($261,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Geographically, Forest Acres is part of the immediate Columbia metro area. Housing prices track closely with Columbia's $244,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 85
Rent 90

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

About the Cost of Living in Forest Acres

The median home value in Forest Acres is $260,500 — 15% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,182/month, 10% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,417/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, 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 76.0°F and lows of 54.9°F. Overall, Forest Acres has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$260,500
15% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$327,703
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,182/mo
10% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,453/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4x
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 78.5%
Renter-occupied 21.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,182
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,796/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
21.8 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.8%
Carpooled
7.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
1.1%
Bicycle
0.8%
Work from home
10.3%

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
$76,417
2% above avg
Per Capita Income
$52,930
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
14% below avg
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor Force Participation
63.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.9%
Graduate degree 27.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.7
Male median age 38.3
Female median age 45

🌤 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 47 — Good
56.7%
Good air days/yr
123
Max AQI recorded
237
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest Acres, SC?

Forest Acres has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Forest Acres, SC?

The median gross rent in Forest Acres is $1,182 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest Acres?

The median home value in Forest Acres is $260,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forest Acres?

The median household income in Forest Acres is $76,417 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest Acres, SC?

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

Is Forest Acres, SC affordable?

Yes, Forest Acres is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Forest Acres?

Forest Acres 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.

Forest Acres at a Glance

Population
10,491
Median Income
$76,417
Home Value
$260,500
Median Rent
$1,182/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Avg High Temp
76.0°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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