Cost of Living in Hartsville, SC

Population 7,422 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

63
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $47,720, median household incomes in Hartsville land roughly 36% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 24% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Hartsville is about 50 miles east of Columbia, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 22% lower than Columbia's $244,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 62
Rent 63

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

About the Cost of Living in Hartsville

The median home value in Hartsville is $188,800 — 38% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $834/month, 37% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $47,720/year is 36% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.3%, 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 75.5°F and lows of 53.9°F. Overall, Hartsville has a cost of living index of 63 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$188,800
38% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$176,023
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$834/mo
37% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9x
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 61.0%
Renter-occupied 39.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$834
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,448/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
23.0 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
71.1%
Carpooled
5.7%
Public transit
0.0%
Walked
8.0%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
3.5%

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
$47,720
36% below avg
Per Capita Income
$27,756
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
72% above avg
Poverty Rate
23.6%
Labor Force Participation
59.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 22.4%
Graduate degree 10.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.3
Male median age 31
Female median age 35.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
75.5°F
Avg Low
53.9°F
Annual Precip
45.3"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576168778489929085776759
Low °F 363944526169727166544438
Precip" 3.083.003.193.003.714.615.804.864.533.422.633.47

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 40 — Good
87.8%
Good air days/yr
93
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
271
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
1
Public schools
270
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Hartsville, SC?

Hartsville has a cost index of 63 (100 = national average). It is 37% below the national average.

What is average rent in Hartsville, SC?

The median gross rent in Hartsville is $834 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Hartsville?

The median home value in Hartsville is $188,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Hartsville?

The median household income in Hartsville is $47,720 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Hartsville, SC?

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

Is Hartsville, SC affordable?

Yes, Hartsville is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 63 — about 37% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Hartsville?

Hartsville has average high temperatures of 75.5°F and average lows of 53.9°F. Annual precipitation is 45.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Hartsville at a Glance

Population
7,422
Median Income
$47,720
Home Value
$188,800
Median Rent
$834/mo
Unemployment
8.3%
Avg High Temp
75.5°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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