What is the cost of living in Port Royal, SC?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Port Royal has an overall cost of living index of 111, which is 1.1x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to South Carolina, Port Royal has a cost of living index that's 1.2x higher than South Carolina's index of 92.
The standard of living in Port Royal ranks as #83 most affordable out of the 98 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies Port Royal ranks as the #15 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.
For more reading on life in Port Royal, check out:
Port Royal Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Port Royal. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Port Royal is 99.
The Groceries index in Port Royal is 98.
The Health index in Port Royal is 138.
The Housing index in Port Royal is 100.
The Transportation index in Port Royal is 103.
The Utilities index in Port Royal is 99.
| Living Expense | Port Royal | South Carolina | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 111 | 92 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 138 | 82 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 97 | 100 |
Port Royal 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
Port Royal, 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 Port Royal is $355,156.
The Median Rent in Port Royal is $1,726.
The Median Income in Port Royal is $74,870.
The Home Value To Income in Port Royal is 4.7x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Port Royal is 0.28x.
| Statistic | Port Royal | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $355,156 | $304,083 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,726 | $1,180 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $74,870 | $69,324 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.7x | 4.4x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.28x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Port Royal, SC Costs By Category
Detailed Port Royal Services costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Port Royal | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.21 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.5 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $22.67 | $18 |
| Haircut | $26.56 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $53.61 | $45.56 |
Detailed Port Royal Groceries costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Port Royal | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.79 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.45 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.6 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.52 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $14.49 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.68 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.5 | $3.7 |
Detailed Port Royal Health costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Port Royal | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $200.92 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $126.2 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $104.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Port Royal Transportation costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Port Royal | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.24 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $63.17 | $59.92 |
Detailed Port Royal Utilities costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Port Royal | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $180.25 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $190.25 | $192.25 |
Port Royal SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Port Royal
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Port Royal. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost of living index of 137, 1.2x Port Royal.
Bluffton, SC has a cost of living index of 120, 1.1x Port Royal.
Beaufort, SC has a cost of living index of 105, 0.9x Port Royal.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Port Royal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 37,911 | 137 | 1.2x |
| Bluffton, SC | 33,157 | 120 | 1.1x |
| Beaufort, SC | 13,747 | 105 | 0.9x |
| Hardeeville, SC | 10,871 | 125 | 1.1x |
| Burton, SC | 6,912 | 91 | 0.8x |
| Laurel Bay, SC | 5,882 | 98 | 0.9x |








