Sumter, SC Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Sumter, SC Summary

Cost of living in Sumter 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 Sumter 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 Sumter is 94, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Sumter is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Sumter ranks as the #40 cheapest in South Carolina out of 99.

  • Sumter ranks as the #1,806 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Sumter is $209,899.

  • The median income in Sumter is $53,071.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
94
Sumter's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Sumter, SC?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Sumter has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to South Carolina, Sumter has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than South Carolina's index of 93.

The standard of living in Sumter ranks as #40 most affordable out of the 99 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies Sumter ranks as the #59 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.

For more reading on life in Sumter, check out:

40 out of 99
In South Carolina
1,806 out of 6,489
In America

Sumter Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina

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

  • The Services index in Sumter is 96.

  • The Groceries index in Sumter is 98.

  • The Health index in Sumter is 85.

  • The Housing index in Sumter is 79.

  • The Transportation index in Sumter is 80.

  • The Utilities index in Sumter is 132.

Living Expense Sumter South Carolina National Average
Overall 94 93 100
Services 96 102 100
Groceries 98 97 100
Health 85 92 100
Housing 79 81 100
Transportation 80 92 100
Utilities 132 109 100
For more reading on cost of living around South Carolina, check out:
Sumter Cost of Living Vs. SC

Sumter, 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 Sumter is $209,899.

  • The Median Rent in Sumter is $1,055.

  • The Median Income in Sumter is $53,071.

  • The Home Value To Income in Sumter is 4.0x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Sumter is 0.24x.

Statistic Sumter South Carolina United States
Median Home Value $209,899 $302,294 $303,400
Median Rent $1,055 $1,126 $1,348
Median Income $53,071 $66,818 $78,538
Home Value To Income 4.0x 4.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.24x 0.2x 0.21x
$209,899
Median Home Value
$1,055
Median Rent
$53,071
Median Income

Sumter, SC Costs By Category

Detailed Sumter Services Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Sumter South Carolina
Shampoo $1.33 $1.28
Movie $12.93 $12.13
Bowling $24.33 $18
Haircut $20.75 $24.26
Beauty Salon $30.56 $45.56

Detailed Sumter Groceries Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Sumter South Carolina
Ground Beef $6.15 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.61 $4.67
Potatoes $5.5 $4.93
Pizza $10.35 $12.09
Beer $10.53 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.65 $3.7

Detailed Sumter Health Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Sumter South Carolina
Optometrist $59.0 $125.68
Doctor $150.0 $135.78
Dentist $78.33 $113.29

Detailed Sumter Transportation Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Sumter South Carolina
Gasoline $3.22 $3.46
Tire Balancing $32.03 $59.92

Detailed Sumter Utilities Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Sumter South Carolina
All Electricity $290.58 $193.99
Phone $192.75 $192.25

Sumter SnackAbility

3
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
4/10
Housing
6
Affordability
5
Diversity
9
Safety
3
Amenities
8.5
Education
8
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Sumter

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

  • Lexington, SC has a cost of living index of 102, 1.1x Sumter.

  • West Columbia, SC has a cost of living index of 95, 1.0x Sumter.

  • Seven Oaks, SC has a cost of living index of 97, 1.0x Sumter.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Sumter
Lexington, SC 24,132 102 1.1x
West Columbia, SC 17,723 95 1.0x
Seven Oaks, SC 15,990 97 1.0x
Oak Grove, SC 12,031 97 1.0x
Irmo, SC 11,799 96 1.0x
Red Bank, SC 10,950 94 1.0x
Forest Acres, SC 10,491 103 1.1x
Woodfield, SC 9,901 94 1.0x
Lugoff, SC 9,475 94 1.0x
Camden, SC 8,025 95 1.0x

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