Research / Most affordable ZIP codes
Most affordable ZIP codes in South Carolina
Ranked by the SkaldMaps Cost of Living Index, lowest first. 100 is about the national level; lower values indicate lower estimated costs.
How we rank lowest cost of living
The Cost of Living Index combines the local cost of everyday goods and services with the estimated cost of owning a typical listed home, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These measures are combined and compared with a national baseline.
100 is about the national level. Below 100, a homebuyer's money goes further; above 100, it goes less far.
It reflects homes for sale today, not what current owners pay, so it needs listing data: ZIPs without enough listings are not ranked. It does not include income, so a low index does not mean local wages cover local costs.
Only ZIPs with at least 1,000 residents are ranked, so a handful of households cannot top the list. 279 South Carolina ZIPs qualify.
South Carolina ZIP codes ranked by lowest cost of living
1ZIP 29114Olanta
South Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 65.3
- ZIP population
- ~2k
- Avg. temperature
- 64°F
- Avg. commute
- 30 min
2ZIP 29178Whitmire
South Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 69.9
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 62°F
- Avg. commute
- 35 min
3ZIP 29530Coward
South Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 70.9
- ZIP population
- ~3k
- Avg. temperature
- 64°F
- Avg. commute
- 28 min
4ZIP 29512Bennettsville
South Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 71.5
- ZIP population
- ~17k
- Avg. temperature
- 63°F
- Avg. commute
- 26 min
5ZIP 29556Kingstree
South Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 71.5
- ZIP population
- ~11k
- Avg. temperature
- 64°F
- Avg. commute
- 27 min
6ZIP 29506Florence
South Carolina
- Cost of living index
- 71.8
- ZIP population
- ~21k
- Avg. temperature
- 64°F
- Avg. commute
- 23 min
| Rank | ZIP | City | County | Cost of living index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | 29560 | Lake City | Florence County | 72.4 |
| #8 | 29540 | Darlington | Darlington County | 72.8 |
| #9 | 29010 | Bishopville | Lee County | 72.9 |
| #10 | 29107 | Neeses | Orangeburg County | 73.4 |
| #11 | 29536 | Dillon | Dillon County | 73.4 |
| #12 | 29039 | Cordova | Orangeburg County | 74.2 |
| #13 | 29532 | Darlington | Darlington County | 74.6 |
| #14 | 29583 | Pamplico | Florence County | 75.0 |
| #15 | 29115 | Orangeburg | Orangeburg County | 75.5 |
| #16 | 29001 | Alcolu | Clarendon County | 75.6 |
| #17 | 29571 | Marion | Marion County | 75.7 |
| #18 | 29203 | Columbia | Richland County | 76.0 |
| #19 | 29624 | Anderson | Anderson County | 76.1 |
| #20 | 29040 | Dalzell | Sumter County | 76.4 |
| #21 | 29379 | Union | Union County | 76.7 |
| #22 | 29069 | Lamar | Darlington County | 76.8 |
| #23 | 29372 | Pacolet | Spartanburg County | 77.0 |
| #24 | 29210 | Columbia | Richland County | 77.1 |
| #25 | 29541 | Effingham | Florence County | 77.1 |
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More South Carolina research
Best ZIP codes for schools
Ranked by school quality index
- South Carolina median ZIP
- 48.0
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 32.3 to 57.2
ZIP codes with the shortest commutes
Ranked by mean commute
- South Carolina median ZIP
- 27.3 min
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 19.8 min to 35.6 min
Best healthcare access
Ranked by healthcare access score
- South Carolina median ZIP
- 91.9
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 83.2 to 97.7
Best broadband coverage
Ranked by households with broadband
- South Carolina median ZIP
- 86.4%
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 74.6% to 94.3%
Warmest ZIP codes
Ranked by avg. temperature
- South Carolina median ZIP
- 63.4°F
- Middle 80% of ZIPs
- 60.7°F to 65.9°F