Cost of Living in Southern Shops, SC

Population 3,985 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

49
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $35,016, median household incomes in Southern Shops land roughly 53% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. A poverty rate near 44% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.

Geographically, Southern Shops is about 65 miles west of Charlotte, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 71% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 34
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Southern Shops

The median home value in Southern Shops is $102,200 — 66% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $963/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $35,016/year is 53% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, 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 72.3°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 3.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Southern Shops has a cost of living index of 49 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 51% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$102,200
66% below avg
Median Rent
$963/mo
27% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
8.8x
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 49.2%
Renter-occupied 50.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$963
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,577/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
22.1 min
18% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.7%
Carpooled
17.5%
Walked
0.3%
Work from home
0.7%

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
$35,016
53% below avg
Per Capita Income
$16,178
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
52% above avg
Poverty Rate
44.2%
Labor Force Participation
59.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 2.2%
Graduate degree 2.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.7
Male median age 34.6
Female median age 35

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.3°F
Avg Low
50.4°F
Annual Precip
49.7"
Annual Snowfall
3.9"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 535764738087908983736355
Low °F 323541495866696862504035
Precip" 4.123.844.484.044.073.904.824.663.733.593.844.58
Snow" 1.61.00.60.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
136
Max AQI recorded
265
PM2.5 days
100
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Southern Shops, SC?

Southern Shops has a cost index of 49 (100 = national average). It is 51% below the national average.

What is average rent in Southern Shops, SC?

The median gross rent in Southern Shops is $963 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Southern Shops?

The median home value in Southern Shops is $102,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Southern Shops?

The median household income in Southern Shops is $35,016 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Southern Shops, SC?

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

Is Southern Shops, SC affordable?

Yes, Southern Shops is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 49 — about 51% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Southern Shops?

Southern Shops has average high temperatures of 72.3°F and average lows of 50.4°F. Annual precipitation is 49.7". Average annual snowfall is 3.9". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Southern Shops at a Glance

Population
3,985
Median Income
$35,016
Home Value
$102,200
Median Rent
$963/mo
Unemployment
7.3%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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