Cost of Living in Irmo, SC

Population 11,799 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

81
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Housing costs in Irmo stay well under national norms: a median home value of $193,000 against median household incomes of $85,137 gives the city one of the more comfortable price-to-income ratios in South Carolina. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Irmo sits roughly 15 miles west of Columbia. Median home values run roughly 21% lower than Columbia's $244,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 63
Rent 107

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

About the Cost of Living in Irmo

The median home value in Irmo is $193,100 — 37% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,412/month, 7% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $85,137/year is 14% higher 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 75.6°F and lows of 52.9°F, with about 1.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Irmo has a cost of living index of 81 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$193,100
37% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$280,061
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,412/mo
7% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,784/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.4x
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 80.7%
Renter-occupied 19.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,412
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,026/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
27.1 min
0% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.2%
Carpooled
9.8%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
13.7%

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
$85,137
14% above avg
Per Capita Income
$39,672
Unemployment Rate
8.3%
72% above avg
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Labor Force Participation
67.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.3%
Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 39.5
Male median age 35.8
Female median age 40.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
75.6°F
Avg Low
52.9°F
Annual Precip
45.2"
Annual Snowfall
1.2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 576168778490939186776659
Low °F 353744526169727165534237
Precip" 3.493.393.572.833.494.975.354.653.913.132.763.70
Snow" 0.60.40.10.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
56.7%
Good air days/yr
123
Max AQI recorded
237
PM2.5 days
127
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.3:1
Student-teacher ratio
22
Public schools
17,494
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Irmo, SC?

Irmo has a cost index of 81 (100 = national average). It is 19% below the national average.

What is average rent in Irmo, SC?

The median gross rent in Irmo is $1,412 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Irmo?

The median home value in Irmo is $193,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Irmo?

The median household income in Irmo is $85,137 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Irmo, SC?

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

Is Irmo, SC affordable?

Yes, Irmo is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 81 — about 19% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Irmo?

Irmo has average high temperatures of 75.6°F and average lows of 52.9°F. Annual precipitation is 45.2". Average annual snowfall is 1.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Irmo at a Glance

Population
11,799
Median Income
$85,137
Home Value
$193,100
Median Rent
$1,412/mo
Unemployment
8.3%
Avg High Temp
75.6°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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