Cost of Living in Lexington, SC

Population 24,132 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

95
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Lexington 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.

Lexington sits roughly 20 miles west of Columbia — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 11% higher than Columbia's $244,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 89
Rent 104

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

About the Cost of Living in Lexington

The median home value in Lexington is $271,200 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,360/month, 4% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $83,263/year is 12% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.1%, 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 75.6°F and lows of 52.9°F, with about 1.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Lexington has a cost of living index of 95 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 5% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$271,200
11% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$301,872
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,360/mo
4% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,655/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.6x
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 65.8%
Renter-occupied 34.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,360
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,974/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
26.0 min
4% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
77.4%
Carpooled
7.4%
Walked
2.5%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
11.9%

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
$83,263
12% above avg
Per Capita Income
$42,321
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
15% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Labor Force Participation
62.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.6%
Graduate degree 16.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.9
Male median age 40.8
Female median age 41.1

🌤 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 41 — Good
64.4%
Good air days/yr
77
Max AQI recorded
140
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

91%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.8:1
Student-teacher ratio
31
Public schools
27,288
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Lexington, SC?

Lexington has a cost index of 95 (100 = national average). It is 5% below the national average.

What is average rent in Lexington, SC?

The median gross rent in Lexington is $1,360 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Lexington?

The median home value in Lexington is $271,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Lexington?

The median household income in Lexington is $83,263 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Lexington, SC?

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

Is Lexington, SC affordable?

Lexington is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 95 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Lexington?

Lexington 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.

Lexington at a Glance

Population
24,132
Median Income
$83,263
Home Value
$271,200
Median Rent
$1,360/mo
Unemployment
4.1%
Avg High Temp
75.6°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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