Cost of Living in Tega Cay, SC

Population 13,267 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

137
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 Tega Cay a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $495,000. An unemployment rate of 1.6% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Tega Cay sits roughly 15 miles southwest of Charlotte. Median home values run roughly 41% higher than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 162
Rent 99

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

About the Cost of Living in Tega Cay

The median home value in Tega Cay is $494,500 — 62% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,307/month, 1% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $141,037/year is 89% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.6%, 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 72.3°F and lows of 49.7°F. Overall, Tega Cay has a cost of living index of 137 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$494,500
62% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$599,590
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,307/mo
1% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
31.5x
Favors renting
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 85.2%
Renter-occupied 14.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,307
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,921/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
30.5 min
13% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
25.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
64.9%
Carpooled
8.4%
Public transit
0.2%
Walked
0.2%
Work from home
25.8%

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
$141,037
89% above avg
Per Capita Income
$66,247
Unemployment Rate
1.6%
66% below avg
Poverty Rate
0.6%
Labor Force Participation
64.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 35.5%
Graduate degree 30.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 41.5
Female median age 41.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.3°F
Avg Low
49.7°F
Annual Precip
42.4"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525764748087908983736355
Low °F 313440485766696862493933
Precip" 3.473.153.783.553.163.974.023.983.423.013.253.62

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 47 — Good
58.4%
Good air days/yr
115
Max AQI recorded
196
PM2.5 days
169
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Tega Cay, SC?

Tega Cay has a cost index of 137 (100 = national average). It is 37% above the national average.

What is average rent in Tega Cay, SC?

The median gross rent in Tega Cay is $1,307 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Tega Cay?

The median home value in Tega Cay is $494,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Tega Cay?

The median household income in Tega Cay is $141,037 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Tega Cay, SC?

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

Is Tega Cay, SC affordable?

Tega Cay is above average in cost of living, with an index of 137 — about 37% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Tega Cay?

Tega Cay has average high temperatures of 72.3°F and average lows of 49.7°F. Annual precipitation is 42.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Tega Cay at a Glance

Population
13,267
Median Income
$141,037
Home Value
$494,500
Median Rent
$1,307/mo
Unemployment
1.6%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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