Cost of Living in Welcome, SC

Population 7,439 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

62
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Welcome is a smaller South Carolina community of around 7000 residents, where median household incomes of $61,948 and housing costs ($164,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Welcome lies roughly 80 miles northeast of the nearest major metro, Athens-Clarke County — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 40% lower than Athens-Clarke County's $272,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 54
Rent 75

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

About the Cost of Living in Welcome

The median home value in Welcome is $164,100 — 46% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $992/month, 25% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $61,948/year is 17% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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 73.1°F and lows of 53.4°F. Overall, Welcome has a cost of living index of 62 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 38% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$164,100
46% below avg
Median Rent
$992/mo
25% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8x
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 67.9%
Renter-occupied 32.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$992
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,606/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
28.8 min
7% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
1.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
90.5%
Carpooled
4.7%
Public transit
0.9%
Walked
2.1%
Work from home
1.7%

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
$61,948
17% below avg
Per Capita Income
$40,914
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
1% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor Force Participation
73.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.3%
Graduate degree 1.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 36.4
Male median age 34.9
Female median age 38.1

🌤 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 Welcome, SC?

Welcome has a cost index of 62 (100 = national average). It is 38% below the national average.

What is average rent in Welcome, SC?

The median gross rent in Welcome is $992 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Welcome?

The median home value in Welcome is $164,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Welcome?

The median household income in Welcome is $61,948 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Welcome, SC?

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

Is Welcome, SC affordable?

Yes, Welcome is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 62 — about 38% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Welcome?

Welcome 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.

Welcome at a Glance

Population
7,439
Median Income
$61,948
Home Value
$164,100
Median Rent
$992/mo
Unemployment
4.8%
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

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