Cost of Living in Little River, SC

Population 10,457 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

99
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

With a median age of 62, Little River functions largely as a retirement market. Housing costs — $268,000 for a typical home — anchor most household budgets, and the state's treatment of pension income tends to matter more than wage-driven tax comparisons.

Located 50 miles southwest of Wilmington, Little River falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 24% lower than Wilmington's $350,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 88
Rent 117

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

About the Cost of Living in Little River

The median home value in Little River is $267,800 — 12% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,531/month, 17% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $64,590/year is 13% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.5%, 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 72.7°F and lows of 55.3°F. Overall, Little River has a cost of living index of 99 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 1% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$267,800
12% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$317,880
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,531/mo
17% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,544/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6x
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 76.8%
Renter-occupied 23.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,531
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,145/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
27.4 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
14.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.0%
Carpooled
7.2%
Walked
0.7%
Bicycle
1.0%
Work from home
14.3%

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
$64,590
13% below avg
Per Capita Income
$41,887
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
26% below avg
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Labor Force Participation
44.0%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.7%
Graduate degree 8.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 61.8
Male median age 63
Female median age 61.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.7°F
Avg Low
55.3°F
Annual Precip
48.5"
30° 45° 60° 75° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 565865727985888783766659
Low °F 374045536270747368564640
Precip" 3.013.183.592.772.964.075.406.256.654.203.293.10

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
71.7%
Good air days/yr
100
Max AQI recorded
189
PM2.5 days
143
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Little River, SC?

Little River has a cost index of 99 (100 = national average). It is 1% below the national average.

What is average rent in Little River, SC?

The median gross rent in Little River is $1,531 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Little River?

The median home value in Little River is $267,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Little River?

The median household income in Little River is $64,590 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Little River, SC?

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

Is Little River, SC affordable?

Little River is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 99 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Little River?

Little River has average high temperatures of 72.7°F and average lows of 55.3°F. Annual precipitation is 48.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Little River at a Glance

Population
10,457
Median Income
$64,590
Home Value
$267,800
Median Rent
$1,531/mo
Unemployment
3.5%
Avg High Temp
72.7°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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