Cost of Living in Travelers Rest, SC

Population 8,137 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

87
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 Travelers Rest a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $281,000. At 6.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Geographically, Travelers Rest lies roughly 85 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Athens-Clarke County. Housing prices track closely with Athens-Clarke County's $272,000 median.

Cost Overview

Housing 92
Rent 78

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

About the Cost of Living in Travelers Rest

The median home value in Travelers Rest is $281,400 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,029/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,655/year is 33% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.1%, 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 73.1°F and lows of 53.4°F. Overall, Travelers Rest has a cost of living index of 87 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$281,400
8% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$344,404
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,029/mo
22% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,732/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8x
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 53.2%
Renter-occupied 46.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,029
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,643/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
23.1 min
14% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
61.8%
Carpooled
11.9%
Public transit
1.6%
Walked
11.9%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
10.8%

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
$49,655
33% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,759
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
26% above avg
Poverty Rate
22.5%
Labor Force Participation
55.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 26.5%
Graduate degree 18.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 21.9
Male median age 21.2
Female median age 22.4

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
73.1°F
Avg Low
53.4°F
Annual Precip
47"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 545865758188918984746456
Low °F 353844526168727165544437
Precip" 4.003.714.253.633.863.865.164.003.453.233.604.29

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 52 — Moderate
45.8%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
229
PM2.5 days
134
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Travelers Rest, SC?

Travelers Rest has a cost index of 87 (100 = national average). It is 13% below the national average.

What is average rent in Travelers Rest, SC?

The median gross rent in Travelers Rest is $1,029 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Travelers Rest?

The median home value in Travelers Rest is $281,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Travelers Rest?

The median household income in Travelers Rest is $49,655 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Travelers Rest, SC?

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

Is Travelers Rest, SC affordable?

Yes, Travelers Rest is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 87 — about 13% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Travelers Rest?

Travelers Rest has average high temperatures of 73.1°F and average lows of 53.4°F. Annual precipitation is 47". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Travelers Rest at a Glance

Population
8,137
Median Income
$49,655
Home Value
$281,400
Median Rent
$1,029/mo
Unemployment
6.1%
Avg High Temp
73.1°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
View all cities in South Carolina →
🗺️ County data for South Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs