What is the cost of living in Clemson, SC?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Clemson has an overall cost of living index of 112, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to South Carolina, Clemson has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than South Carolina's index of 92.
The standard of living in Clemson ranks as #84 most affordable out of the 98 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies Clemson ranks as the #14 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.
For more reading on life in Clemson, check out:
Clemson Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Clemson. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Clemson is 102.
The Groceries index in Clemson is 100.
The Health index in Clemson is 134.
The Housing index in Clemson is 100.
The Transportation index in Clemson is 103.
The Utilities index in Clemson is 102.
| Living Expense | Clemson | South Carolina | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 112 | 92 | 100 |
| Services | 102 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 134 | 82 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 97 | 100 |
Clemson Cost Of Living Compared To South Carolina Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around South Carolina, check out:
- Most Expensive Cities In South Carolina
- Most Affordable Cities In South Carolina
- Average Rent In South Carolina
Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Clemson, SC Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in South Carolina, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Clemson is $396,340.
The Median Rent in Clemson is $1,007.
The Median Income in Clemson is $49,520.
The Home Value To Income in Clemson is 8.0x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Clemson is 0.24x.
| Statistic | Clemson | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $396,340 | $304,083 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,007 | $1,180 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $49,520 | $69,324 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 8.0x | 4.4x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.24x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Clemson, SC Costs By Category
Detailed Clemson Services costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Clemson | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.37 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $14.47 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $18.39 | $18 |
| Haircut | $25.74 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $51.07 | $45.56 |
Detailed Clemson Groceries costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Clemson | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $6.24 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.5 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.56 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.31 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $11.78 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.45 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.61 | $3.7 |
Detailed Clemson Health costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Clemson | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $120.21 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $123.75 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $114.8 | $113.29 |
Detailed Clemson Transportation costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Clemson | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.07 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $56.5 | $59.92 |
Detailed Clemson Utilities costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Clemson | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $170.53 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $189.75 | $192.25 |
Clemson SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Clemson
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Clemson. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Anderson, SC has a cost of living index of 92, 0.8x Clemson.
Easley, SC has a cost of living index of 96, 0.9x Clemson.
Powdersville, SC has a cost of living index of 105, 0.9x Clemson.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Clemson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson, SC | 30,051 | 92 | 0.8x |
| Easley, SC | 24,841 | 96 | 0.9x |
| Powdersville, SC | 10,771 | 105 | 0.9x |
| Seneca, SC | 8,993 | 93 | 0.8x |
| Centerville, SC | 7,049 | 93 | 0.8x |
| Homeland Park, SC | 6,632 | 84 | 0.8x |
| Central, SC | 5,320 | 92 | 0.8x |
