Cost of Living in Laurens, SC
Population 9,307 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Laurens sits on the smaller end of the South Carolina city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.
Located 70 miles northwest of Columbia, Laurens is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 43% lower than Columbia's $244,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Laurens
The median home value in Laurens is $139,800 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $795/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,207/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.5%, 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 72.6°F and lows of 49.8°F. Overall, Laurens has a cost of living index of 52 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 48% less expensive.
Laurens has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 53 | 57 | 65 | 73 | 81 | 87 | 90 | 89 | 83 | 74 | 63 | 56 |
| Low °F | 32 | 35 | 41 | 48 | 57 | 65 | 69 | 68 | 62 | 49 | 39 | 34 |
| Precip" | 3.91 | 3.61 | 4.17 | 2.79 | 2.99 | 3.72 | 3.83 | 3.25 | 3.35 | 3.03 | 3.32 | 4.04 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Laurens, SC?
Laurens has a cost index of 52 (100 = national average). It is 48% below the national average.
What is average rent in Laurens, SC?
The median gross rent in Laurens is $795 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Laurens?
The median home value in Laurens is $139,800 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Laurens?
The median household income in Laurens is $55,207 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Laurens, SC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Laurens is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.
Is Laurens, SC affordable?
Yes, Laurens is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 52 — about 48% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Laurens?
Laurens has average high temperatures of 72.6°F and average lows of 49.8°F. Annual precipitation is 42". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Laurens at a Glance
- Population
- 9,307
- Median Income
- $55,207
- Home Value
- $139,800
- Median Rent
- $795/mo
- Unemployment
- 2.5%
- Avg High Temp
- 72.6°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
South Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs