A
4%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Conway South Carolina National
Cost of living9693100
Goods & Services97100100
Groceries10299100
Health care8994100
Housing8780100
Transportation8891100
Utilities121107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Conway, SC

The cost of living in Conway affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Conway is 96, which is 4% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Conway are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Conway can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Conway?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 5 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Conway. The feedback revealed that 80% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 20% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Conway Affordable?

Is Conway an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Conway is 11% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 17.1% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Conway has a median household income of $42,840, which is 22.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Conway?

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Conway, the housing index stands at 12.9% lower than the national average.

Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Conway, the utilities index registers 21.1% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Conway displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Conway is 3% higher than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in Conway is 4% lower than the national average
  • Conway housing is 13% lower than the national average
  • South Carolina general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • South Carolina state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Conway

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Compare Conway, SC Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$58,257$4,855$1,359$1,748
      Renters$25,550$2,129$596$767
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Conway, SC, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Conway, homeowners have a median income of $58,257. Using that number, a maximum of $1,359 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $25,550, which means there is a maximum of $596 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      South Carolina Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      South Carolina 6% 9%

      South Carolina Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      South Carolina 0% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Conway National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.38$24.268.7%
      Beauty Salon $56.15$45.5623.2%
      Toothpaste $3.77$3.701.8%
      Shampoo $1.38$1.287.5%
      Movie $11.30$12.136.8%
      Bowling $19.43$18.008.0%

      Groceries

      Item Conway National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.22$5.846.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.67$1.576.2%
      Milk $4.59$4.671.8%
      Potatoes $5.51$4.9311.6%
      Pizza $10.83$12.0910.4%
      Beer $10.61$10.411.9%

      Health Care

      Item Conway National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $78.10$125.6837.9%
      Doctor $137.50$135.781.3%
      Dentist $97.17$113.2914.2%
      Ibuprofen $10.75$10.650.9%
      Lipitor $373.44$468.6020.3%

      Housing

      Item Conway National avg. Difference
      Home Price $164,300.00$184,700.0011.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,134.33$2,346.699.0%
      Apartment Rent $787.00$949.0017.1%

      Transportation

      Item Conway National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.18$3.468.0%
      Tire Balancing $46.64$59.9222.2%

      Utilities

      Item Conway National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $258.50$193.9933.3%
      Phone $194.25$192.251.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Bucksport, SC6078415.5%
      Loris, SC2,676936.7%
      Aynor, SC785963.8%
      Socastee, SC25,846981.6%
      Red Hill, SC16,290991.3%
      Conway, SC24,747964.1%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Grande Prairie County No. 1, AB24,756n/a 
      Ives Estates, FL24,7321087.9%
      Rosemount, MN24,79211414.3%
      Newport, RI24,69714544.9%
      Clinton, MS24,797945.8%
      Conway, SC24,747964.1%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.