Cost of Living in Valley Falls, SC

Population 7,249 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

74
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 Valley Falls a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $230,000. Around 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line, a rate that tends to correlate with the income and housing figures above.

Located 65 miles west of Charlotte, Valley Falls is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 35% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 75
Rent 73

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

About the Cost of Living in Valley Falls

The median home value in Valley Falls is $229,600 — 25% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $955/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,671/year is 25% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, 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 72.3°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 3.9" of annual snowfall. Overall, Valley Falls has a cost of living index of 74 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 26% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$229,600
25% below avg
Median Rent
$955/mo
27% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.0x
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 46.6%
Renter-occupied 53.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$955
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,569/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
23.0 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
3.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
79.8%
Carpooled
10.0%
Walked
2.4%
Work from home
3.1%

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
$55,671
25% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,400
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
9% below avg
Poverty Rate
22.4%
Labor Force Participation
66.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.9%
Graduate degree 8.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 25.6
Male median age 29.3
Female median age 22.9

🌤 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 Valley Falls, SC?

Valley Falls has a cost index of 74 (100 = national average). It is 26% below the national average.

What is average rent in Valley Falls, SC?

The median gross rent in Valley Falls is $955 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Valley Falls?

The median home value in Valley Falls is $229,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Valley Falls?

The median household income in Valley Falls is $55,671 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Valley Falls, SC?

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

Is Valley Falls, SC affordable?

Yes, Valley Falls is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 74 — about 26% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Valley Falls?

Valley Falls 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.

Valley Falls at a Glance

Population
7,249
Median Income
$55,671
Home Value
$229,600
Median Rent
$955/mo
Unemployment
4.4%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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🗺️ County data for South Carolina

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