Cost of Living in Florence, SC
Florence, SC — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Florence, SC to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Florence, SC?
With a price level of 86.8 (U.S. average = 100), Florence, SC is one of the most affordable places in the country. In detail, housing costs are 48% below average; everyday goods are 4% below average; utilities are 12% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 2% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Florence, SC vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 86.8 | −13.2% |
| Housing | 52.4 | −47.6% |
| Goods | 96.3 | −3.7% |
| Utilities | 87.7 | −12.3% |
| Other services | 98.3 | −1.7% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Florence, SC
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $917 | $36,680/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $922 | $36,880/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,111 | $44,440/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,397 | $55,880/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,560 | $62,400/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Florence, SC
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Florence, SC | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $34,700 | $29,137 |
| $60,000 | $52,100 | $42,073 |
| $80,000 | $69,400 | $54,646 |
| $100,000 | $86,800 | $65,843 |
| $150,000 | $130,200 | $93,603 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, South Carolina 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Florence, SC's median wage of $43,520 takes home about $2,975 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $922, which is 31% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,053 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Florence, SC
- Federal income tax$3,042
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,698
- Medicare (1.45%)$631
- South Carolina income tax$1,454
- Take-home pay$35,694
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Florence, SC
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,170 | $62,220 | $71,703 |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,650 | $24,638 | $28,394 |
| Cashier | $26,420 | $22,934 | $26,430 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $24,590 | $21,482 | $24,756 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in South Carolina cities
Half of South Carolina’s 2,305,080 workers earn less than $46,490 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $34,630–$70,340 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Spartanburg, SC stretches a paycheck furthest, while Myrtle Beach, SC is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | $49,990 | 97.3 | $1,428 | 42% | $1,947 | $41,608 |
| Greenville, SC | $46,580 | 93.3 | $1,155 | 37% | $2,009 | $40,713 |
| Columbia, SC | $46,430 | 93.7 | $1,139 | 36% | $2,016 | $40,420 |
| Charleston, SC | $49,150 | 101.0 | $1,630 | 49% | $1,693 | $39,500 |
| Augusta, GA | $45,990 | 91.9 | $1,110 | 35% | $2,018 | $40,837 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,650 | 91.1 | $1,061 | 33% | $2,169 | $42,575 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $37,930 | 93.6 | $1,229 | 47% | $1,399 | $33,679 |
| Florence, SC | $43,520 | 86.8 | $922 | 31% | $2,053 | $41,135 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $43,850 | 98.0 | $1,623 | 54% | $1,372 | $36,667 |
| Sumter, SC | $42,890 | 88.0 | $972 | 33% | $1,963 | $40,020 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Florence, SC vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence, SC | 86.8 | $922 | $43,520 | 89,060 |
| Medford, OR | 101.4 | $1,229 | $49,900 | 89,060 |
| Bloomington, IL | 93.5 | $999 | $53,140 | 88,110 |
| St. George, UT | 97.3 | $1,218 | $45,140 | 90,500 |
| Panama City, FL | 97.3 | $1,413 | $45,030 | 90,610 |
| Monroe, LA | 83.6 | $772 | $38,150 | 87,500 |
| Joplin, MO | 85.7 | $756 | $44,980 | 87,190 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Florence, SC expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Florence, SC metro area are 86.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 52.4%. It is the #356 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Florence, SC?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $52,064 in Florence, SC (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $43,520.
Can you afford Florence, SC on the median wage?
A single worker on the $43,520 median wage takes home about $2,975 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $922 would take 31% of that.
How much is rent in Florence, SC?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Florence, SC are $917 for a studio, $922 for one bedroom, $1,111 for two bedrooms and $1,397 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Florence, SC
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $81,170
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $24,590
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $28,650
- Cashier — $26,420