Cost of Living in Port Royal, SC

Population 15,047 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

108
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Port Royal a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $298,000. An unemployment rate of 1.4% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Located 35 miles northeast of Savannah, Port Royal falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 32% higher than Savannah's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 98
Rent 122

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

About the Cost of Living in Port Royal

The median home value in Port Royal is $298,000 — 2% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,606/month, 22% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $70,330/year is 6% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.4%, 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 76.8°F and lows of 57.6°F. Overall, Port Royal has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$298,000
2% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$353,154
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,606/mo
22% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,608/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.5x
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 38.9%
Renter-occupied 61.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,606
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,220/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
15.3 min
43% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
9.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
66.4%
Carpooled
15.0%
Walked
8.2%
Work from home
9.2%

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
$70,330
6% below avg
Per Capita Income
$32,843
Unemployment Rate
1.4%
71% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor Force Participation
71.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 18.4%
Graduate degree 18.8%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 25.8
Male median age 23.4
Female median age 30.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
76.8°F
Avg Low
57.6°F
Annual Precip
45"
Annual Snowfall
0"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 606470778489929086786963
Low °F 404349566471757470594843
Precip" 2.902.913.113.062.504.995.576.504.033.772.513.17

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Port Royal, SC?

Port Royal has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.

What is average rent in Port Royal, SC?

The median gross rent in Port Royal is $1,606 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Port Royal?

The median home value in Port Royal is $298,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Port Royal?

The median household income in Port Royal is $70,330 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Port Royal, SC?

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

Is Port Royal, SC affordable?

Port Royal is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Port Royal?

Port Royal has average high temperatures of 76.8°F and average lows of 57.6°F. Annual precipitation is 45". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Port Royal at a Glance

Population
15,047
Median Income
$70,330
Home Value
$298,000
Median Rent
$1,606/mo
Unemployment
1.4%
Avg High Temp
76.8°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
View all cities in South Carolina →
🗺️ County data for South Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

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