James Island, SC Cost Of Living

Demographics | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In James Island, SC Summary

Cost of living in James Island research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means James Island is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in South Carolina, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in James Island is 126, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in James Island is 1.3x higher than the national average.

  • James Island ranks as the #96 cheapest in South Carolina out of 99.

  • James Island ranks as the #4,776 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in James Island is $580,068.

  • The median income in James Island is $100,176.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
126
James Island's Overall Cost Of Living
1.3x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in James Island, SC?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, James Island has an overall cost of living index of 126, which is 1.3x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to South Carolina, James Island has a cost of living index that's 1.4x higher than South Carolina's index of 93.

The standard of living in James Island ranks as #96 most affordable out of the 99 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies James Island ranks as the #3 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.

For more reading on life in James Island, check out:

96 out of 99
In South Carolina
4,776 out of 6,489
In America

James Island Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in James Island. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in James Island is 99.

  • The Groceries index in James Island is 102.

  • The Health index in James Island is 88.

  • The Housing index in James Island is 182.

  • The Transportation index in James Island is 90.

  • The Utilities index in James Island is 119.

Living Expense James Island South Carolina National Average
Overall 126 93 100
Services 99 102 100
Groceries 102 97 100
Health 88 92 100
Housing 182 81 100
Transportation 90 92 100
Utilities 119 109 100
For more reading on cost of living around South Carolina, check out:
James Island Cost of Living Vs. SC

James Island, 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 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in James Island is $580,068.

  • The Median Rent in James Island is $1,443.

  • The Median Income in James Island is $100,176.

  • The Home Value To Income in James Island is 5.8x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in James Island is 0.17x.

Statistic James Island South Carolina United States
Median Home Value $580,068 $302,294 $303,400
Median Rent $1,443 $1,126 $1,348
Median Income $100,176 $66,818 $78,538
Home Value To Income 5.8x 4.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.17x 0.2x 0.21x
$580,068
Median Home Value
$1,443
Median Rent
$100,176
Median Income

James Island, SC Costs By Category

Detailed James Island Services Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item James Island South Carolina
Shampoo $1.38 $1.28
Movie $11.3 $12.13
Bowling $19.43 $18
Haircut $26.38 $24.26
Beauty Salon $56.15 $45.56

Detailed James Island Groceries Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item James Island South Carolina
Ground Beef $6.22 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.59 $4.67
Potatoes $5.51 $4.93
Pizza $10.83 $12.09
Beer $10.61 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.77 $3.7

Detailed James Island Health Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item James Island South Carolina
Optometrist $78.1 $125.68
Doctor $137.5 $135.78
Dentist $97.17 $113.29

Detailed James Island Transportation Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item James Island South Carolina
Gasoline $3.18 $3.46
Tire Balancing $46.64 $59.92

Detailed James Island Utilities Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item James Island South Carolina
All Electricity $258.5 $193.99
Phone $194.25 $192.25

James Island SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
9/10
Housing
9
Affordability
5
Diversity
6
Safety
N/A
Amenities
1
Education
9
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around James Island

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around James Island. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Charleston, SC has a cost of living index of 123, 1.0x James Island.

  • North Charleston, SC has a cost of living index of 101, 0.8x James Island.

  • Mount Pleasant, SC has a cost of living index of 138, 1.1x James Island.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. James Island
Charleston, SC 152,014 123 1.0x
North Charleston, SC 117,460 101 0.8x
Mount Pleasant, SC 92,662 138 1.1x
Goose Creek, SC 46,964 106 0.8x
Hanahan, SC 21,119 111 0.9x
Hollywood, SC 5,330 107 0.8x

Articles About South Carolina

Enjoy The Snack?