Cost of Living in Ladson, SC

Population 16,261 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

90
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Ladson offers a notably favorable income-to-housing ratio for its region. The typical home — $222,000 — costs less than 2.7 times median household income of $83,031, a threshold many coastal markets passed a decade ago. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.6% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Geographically, Ladson sits roughly 7 miles northwest of North Charleston. Median home values run roughly 17% lower than North Charleston's $268,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 73
Rent 115

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

About the Cost of Living in Ladson

The median home value in Ladson is $222,100 — 27% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,517/month, 15% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,031/year is 11% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.6%, 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 76.6°F and lows of 56.4°F. Overall, Ladson has a cost of living index of 90 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 10% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$222,100
27% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$311,238
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,517/mo
15% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,688/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.2x
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 79.4%
Renter-occupied 20.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,517
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,131/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
33.2 min
23% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.7%
Carpooled
10.9%
Walked
0.8%
Work from home
9.0%

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
$83,031
11% above avg
Per Capita Income
$36,627
Unemployment Rate
6.6%
38% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Labor Force Participation
69.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.0%
Graduate degree 5.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.8
Male median age 30.9
Female median age 34.2

🌤 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 Ladson, SC?

Ladson has a cost index of 90 (100 = national average). It is 10% below the national average.

What is average rent in Ladson, SC?

The median gross rent in Ladson is $1,517 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Ladson?

The median home value in Ladson is $222,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Ladson?

The median household income in Ladson is $83,031 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Ladson, SC?

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

Is Ladson, SC affordable?

Ladson is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 90 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Ladson?

Ladson 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.