C-
24%
Overall NAT. AVG.
3%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
81%
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 James Island South Carolina National
Cost of living12493100
Goods & Services97100100
Groceries10299100
Health care8994100
Housing18180100
Transportation8891100
Utilities121107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in James Island, SC

Knowing the cost of living in James Island allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in James Island stands at 124, marking it 24% higher than the national average.

If you value affordability in your search for a new place to live, James Island may not be the most suitable option, as it stands out as one of the priciest areas in the entire United States. Only a small fraction of regions have a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, James Island falls into this category, which may not align with your desire for an affordable place to call home.

Housing costs significantly influence the James Island cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 80.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Is James Island Affordable?

Is James Island affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in James Island, the median home price is 84.6% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 71.2% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with James Island boasting a median household income of $82,083, 48.4% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in James Island?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In James Island, the healthcare costs are 11.3% lower than the national average.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In James Island, the utilities index is 21.1% higher than the national average.

Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In James Island, the groceries index is 1.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in James Island 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 James Island is 33% higher than the South Carolina average
  • The cost of living in James Island is 24% higher than the national average
  • James Island housing is 81% higher 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 James Island

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Compare James Island, 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$85,779$7,148$2,001$2,574
      Renters$61,676$5,140$1,439$1,850

      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 James Island 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 James Island 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 James Island 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 James Island National avg. Difference
      Home Price $341,000.00$184,700.0084.6%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,134.33$2,346.699.0%
      Apartment Rent $1,625.00$949.0071.2%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item James Island 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.
      North Charleston, SC113,8801011.0%
      Hanahan, SC25,7431098.6%
      Charleston, SC137,04112221.9%
      Mount Pleasant, SC89,41014039.7%
      Folly Beach, SC2,66415050.0%
      James Island, SC12,15712423.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Laurel, FL12,15312222.0%
      Lewisburg, TN12,1508812.1%
      Lake City, FL12,1668811.8%
      Abbeville, LA12,1678416.0%
      Mendota, CA12,1731044.5%
      James Island, SC12,15712423.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.