Cost of Living in Goose Creek, SC

Population 46,964 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

104
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Goose Creek lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $280,000 — 8% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in South Carolina.

Located 6 miles northeast of North Charleston, Goose Creek falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Housing prices track closely with North Charleston's $268,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 123

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

About the Cost of Living in Goose Creek

The median home value in Goose Creek is $279,500 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,611/month, 23% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,437/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.1%, 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 76.6°F and lows of 56.4°F. Overall, Goose Creek has a cost of living index of 104 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$279,500
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$319,459
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
23% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,939/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
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 68.5%
Renter-occupied 31.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,611
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,225/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
27.9 min
3% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.7%
Carpooled
9.0%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
5.7%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
11.8%

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
$87,437
17% above avg
Per Capita Income
$37,772
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
35% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Labor Force Participation
72.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.5%
Graduate degree 10.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.7
Male median age 30.5
Female median age 36.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.6°F
Avg Low
56.4°F
Annual Precip
52.5"
Annual Snowfall
0.3"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 606470778489919085786963
Low °F 394247556370747368584742
Precip" 3.373.053.353.293.326.216.606.976.014.332.663.35
Snow" 0.20.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 36 — Good
95.2%
Good air days/yr
105
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
273
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Goose Creek, SC?

Goose Creek has a cost index of 104 (100 = national average). It is 4% above the national average.

What is average rent in Goose Creek, SC?

The median gross rent in Goose Creek is $1,611 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Goose Creek?

The median home value in Goose Creek is $279,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Goose Creek?

The median household income in Goose Creek is $87,437 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Goose Creek, SC?

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

Is Goose Creek, SC affordable?

Goose Creek is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 104 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Goose Creek?

Goose Creek has average high temperatures of 76.6°F and average lows of 56.4°F. Annual precipitation is 52.5". Average annual snowfall is 0.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Goose Creek at a Glance

Population
46,964
Median Income
$87,437
Home Value
$279,500
Median Rent
$1,611/mo
Unemployment
3.1%
Avg High Temp
76.6°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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