Cost of Living in Whitney, SC

Population 3,659 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

54
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Whitney is a smaller South Carolina community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $49,181 and housing costs ($137,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.5% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 65 miles west of Charlotte, Whitney is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 61% lower than Charlotte's $352,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 45
Rent 68

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

About the Cost of Living in Whitney

The median home value in Whitney is $136,700 — 55% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $899/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $49,181/year is 34% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, 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, Whitney has a cost of living index of 54 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 46% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$136,700
55% below avg
Median Rent
$899/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7x
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 62.6%
Renter-occupied 37.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$899
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,513/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
22.9 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.2%
Carpooled
19.6%
Work from home
5.6%

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
$49,181
34% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,622
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
69% below avg
Poverty Rate
13.7%
Labor Force Participation
71.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.7%
Graduate degree 2.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.7
Male median age 40.6
Female median age 40.8

🌤 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 Whitney, SC?

Whitney has a cost index of 54 (100 = national average). It is 46% below the national average.

What is average rent in Whitney, SC?

The median gross rent in Whitney is $899 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Whitney?

The median home value in Whitney is $136,700 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Whitney?

The median household income in Whitney is $49,181 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Whitney, SC?

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

Is Whitney, SC affordable?

Yes, Whitney is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 54 — about 46% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Whitney?

Whitney 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.

Whitney at a Glance

Population
3,659
Median Income
$49,181
Home Value
$136,700
Median Rent
$899/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Avg High Temp
72.3°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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🗺️ County data for South Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

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