Cost of Living in Fort Mill, SC

Population 28,281 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

134
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Fort Mill cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $457,000, rents near $1,437 a month. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.3% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Fort Mill sits roughly 15 miles southwest of Charlotte — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 30% higher than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 150
Rent 109

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

About the Cost of Living in Fort Mill

The median home value in Fort Mill is $457,000 — 50% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,437/month, 9% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $127,537/year is 71% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.3%, 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 49.7°F. Overall, Fort Mill has a cost of living index of 134 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$457,000
50% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$520,346
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,437/mo
9% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,730/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.5x
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 84.4%
Renter-occupied 15.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,437
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,051/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
29.9 min
11% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
25.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.1%
Carpooled
4.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
25.1%

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
$127,537
71% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,585
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
52% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Labor Force Participation
69.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.8%
Graduate degree 22.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 38.2
Male median age 38.1
Female median age 38.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.3°F
Avg Low
49.7°F
Annual Precip
42.4"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525764748087908983736355
Low °F 313440485766696862493933
Precip" 3.473.153.783.553.163.974.023.983.423.013.253.62

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
58.4%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
196
PM2.5 days
169
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

96%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
17
Public schools
16,977
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Mill, SC?

Fort Mill has a cost index of 134 (100 = national average). It is 34% above the national average.

What is average rent in Fort Mill, SC?

The median gross rent in Fort Mill is $1,437 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Fort Mill?

The median home value in Fort Mill is $457,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Fort Mill?

The median household income in Fort Mill is $127,537 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Fort Mill, SC?

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

Is Fort Mill, SC affordable?

Fort Mill is above average in cost of living, with an index of 134 — about 34% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Fort Mill?

Fort Mill has average high temperatures of 72.3°F and average lows of 49.7°F. Annual precipitation is 42.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Fort Mill at a Glance

Population
28,281
Median Income
$127,537
Home Value
$457,000
Median Rent
$1,437/mo
Unemployment
2.3%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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