Cost of Living in Surfside Beach, SC
Population 4,217 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
The median resident in Surfside Beach is 55 years old, well past the national midpoint, giving the city the retail and service mix of a retirement-dominant market. Household-income figures here read differently than in working-age cities: retirement and investment income weigh heavily in the totals. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Located 75 miles southwest of Wilmington, Surfside Beach is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 18% higher than Wilmington's $350,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Surfside Beach
The median home value in Surfside Beach is $412,100 — 35% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,274/month, 3% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $74,202/year is 1% 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 72.7°F and lows of 55.3°F. Overall, Surfside Beach has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.
Surfside Beach 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 | 56 | 58 | 65 | 72 | 79 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 83 | 76 | 66 | 59 |
| Low °F | 37 | 40 | 45 | 53 | 62 | 70 | 74 | 73 | 68 | 56 | 46 | 40 |
| Precip" | 3.01 | 3.18 | 3.59 | 2.77 | 2.96 | 4.07 | 5.40 | 6.25 | 6.65 | 4.20 | 3.29 | 3.10 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Surfside Beach, SC?
Surfside Beach has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.
What is average rent in Surfside Beach, SC?
The median gross rent in Surfside Beach is $1,274 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Surfside Beach?
The median home value in Surfside Beach is $412,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Surfside Beach?
The median household income in Surfside Beach is $74,202 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Surfside Beach, SC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Surfside Beach is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.
Is Surfside Beach, SC affordable?
Surfside Beach is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Surfside Beach?
Surfside Beach 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.
Surfside Beach at a Glance
- Population
- 4,217
- Median Income
- $74,202
- Home Value
- $412,100
- Median Rent
- $1,274/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.3%
- Avg High Temp
- 72.7°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
South Carolina Rankings
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