Cost of Living in Forestbrook, SC

Population 7,450 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

92
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Forestbrook is a smaller South Carolina community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $77,791 and housing costs ($299,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. At 6.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 70 miles southwest of Wilmington, Forestbrook is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 15% lower than Wilmington's $350,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 98
Rent 83

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

About the Cost of Living in Forestbrook

The median home value in Forestbrook is $298,800 — 2% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,087/month, 17% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $77,791/year is 4% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.2%, 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, Forestbrook has a cost of living index of 92 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$298,800
2% below avg
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
17% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9x
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 88.8%
Renter-occupied 11.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,087
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,701/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
22.9 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
7.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.4%
Carpooled
5.4%
Work from home
7.8%

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
$77,791
4% above avg
Per Capita Income
$40,877
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
29% above avg
Poverty Rate
6.0%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.4%
Graduate degree 16.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 50.7
Male median age 46.6
Female median age 54.7

🌤 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forestbrook, SC?

Forestbrook has a cost index of 92 (100 = national average). It is 8% below the national average.

What is average rent in Forestbrook, SC?

The median gross rent in Forestbrook is $1,087 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forestbrook?

The median home value in Forestbrook is $298,800 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Forestbrook?

The median household income in Forestbrook is $77,791 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forestbrook, SC?

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

Is Forestbrook, SC affordable?

Forestbrook is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 92 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Forestbrook?

Forestbrook 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.

Forestbrook at a Glance

Population
7,450
Median Income
$77,791
Home Value
$298,800
Median Rent
$1,087/mo
Unemployment
6.2%
Avg High Temp
72.7°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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🗺️ County data for South Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

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