Union, SC Cost Of Living

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

Cost Of Living In Union, SC Summary

Cost of living in Union 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 Union 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 Union is 81, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Union is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • Union ranks as the #1 cheapest in South Carolina out of 99.

  • Union ranks as the #158 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Union is $125,253.

  • The median income in Union is $34,112.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
81
Union's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Union, SC?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Union has an overall cost of living index of 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to South Carolina, Union has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than South Carolina's index of 93.

The standard of living in Union ranks as #1 most affordable out of the 99 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies Union ranks as the #98 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.

For more reading on life in Union, check out:

1 out of 99
In South Carolina
158 out of 6,489
In America

Union Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina

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

  • The Services index in Union is 98.

  • The Groceries index in Union is 97.

  • The Health index in Union is 99.

  • The Housing index in Union is 54.

  • The Transportation index in Union is 99.

  • The Utilities index in Union is 94.

Living Expense Union South Carolina National Average
Overall 81 93 100
Services 98 102 100
Groceries 97 97 100
Health 99 92 100
Housing 54 81 100
Transportation 99 92 100
Utilities 94 109 100
For more reading on cost of living around South Carolina, check out:
Union Cost of Living Vs. SC

Union, 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 Union is $125,253.

  • The Median Rent in Union is $789.

  • The Median Income in Union is $34,112.

  • The Home Value To Income in Union is 3.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Union is 0.28x.

Statistic Union South Carolina United States
Median Home Value $125,253 $302,294 $303,400
Median Rent $789 $1,126 $1,348
Median Income $34,112 $66,818 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.7x 4.5x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.28x 0.2x 0.21x
$125,253
Median Home Value
$789
Median Rent
$34,112
Median Income

Union, SC Costs By Category

Detailed Union Services Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Union South Carolina
Shampoo $1.38 $1.28
Movie $12.15 $12.13
Bowling $16.41 $18
Haircut $25.1 $24.26
Beauty Salon $45.93 $45.56

Detailed Union Groceries Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Union South Carolina
Ground Beef $5.46 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.67 $1.57
Milk $4.58 $4.67
Potatoes $5.5 $4.93
Pizza $10.64 $12.09
Beer $10.46 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.67 $3.7

Detailed Union Health Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Union South Carolina
Optometrist $108.14 $125.68
Doctor $131.8 $135.78
Dentist $103.51 $113.29

Detailed Union Transportation Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Union South Carolina
Gasoline $3.16 $3.46
Tire Balancing $67.1 $59.92

Detailed Union Utilities Costs Vs. South Carolina

Item Union South Carolina
All Electricity $171.72 $193.99
Phone $191.25 $192.25

Union SnackAbility

5
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
3/10
Housing
4
Affordability
6
Diversity
9
Safety
2
Amenities
8
Education
5
Commute
7

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Union

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

  • Erie, PA has a cost of living index of 86, 1.1x Union.

  • Northwest Harborcreek, PA has a cost of living index of 99, 1.2x Union.

  • Centerville, SC has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Union.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Union
Erie, PA 94,156 86 1.1x
Northwest Harborcreek, PA 8,908 99 1.2x
Centerville, SC 6,860 92 1.1x
Corry, PA 6,162 86 1.1x
Edinboro, PA 5,303 98 1.2x

Articles About South Carolina

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