Cost of Living in Georgetown, SC

Population 8,511 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

56
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 Georgetown a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $159,000. At 8.0%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 55 miles northeast of Charleston, Georgetown is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 66% lower than Charleston's $469,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 52
Rent 61

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

About the Cost of Living in Georgetown

The median home value in Georgetown is $158,600 — 48% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $805/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $57,704/year is 23% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.0%, 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 73.7°F and lows of 56.5°F. Overall, Georgetown has a cost of living index of 56 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 44% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$158,600
48% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$241,830
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$805/mo
39% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4x
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 71.0%
Renter-occupied 29.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$805
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,419/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
23.4 min
13% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
14.2%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
3.5%
Work from home
4.5%

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
$57,704
23% below avg
Per Capita Income
$37,776
Unemployment Rate
8.0%
67% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.8%
Labor Force Participation
55.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.0%
Graduate degree 10.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 49.2
Male median age 47.8
Female median age 49.9

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.7°F
Avg Low
56.5°F
Annual Precip
55.6"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 586066738086888783766761
Low °F 394248556370737268584842
Precip" 3.423.203.903.313.355.077.078.336.834.312.823.98

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

88%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.5:1
Student-teacher ratio
19
Public schools
9,205
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Georgetown, SC?

Georgetown has a cost index of 56 (100 = national average). It is 44% below the national average.

What is average rent in Georgetown, SC?

The median gross rent in Georgetown is $805 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Georgetown?

The median home value in Georgetown is $158,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Georgetown?

The median household income in Georgetown is $57,704 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Georgetown, SC?

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

Is Georgetown, SC affordable?

Yes, Georgetown is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 56 — about 44% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Georgetown?

Georgetown has average high temperatures of 73.7°F and average lows of 56.5°F. Annual precipitation is 55.6". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Georgetown at a Glance

Population
8,511
Median Income
$57,704
Home Value
$158,600
Median Rent
$805/mo
Unemployment
8.0%
Avg High Temp
73.7°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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