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 85, 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 92.
The standard of living in Union ranks as #4 most affordable out of the 98 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies Union ranks as the #94 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.
For more reading on life in Union, check out:
Union Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Union. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Union is 95.
The Groceries index in Union is 99.
The Health index in Union is 53.
The Housing index in Union is 95.
The Transportation index in Union is 103.
The Utilities index in Union is 97.
| Living Expense | Union | South Carolina | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 85 | 92 | 100 |
| Services | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 53 | 82 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 97 | 97 | 100 |
Union 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
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Union is $136,356.
The Median Rent in Union is $832.
The Median Income in Union is $31,914.
The Home Value To Income in Union is 4.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Union is 0.31x.
| Statistic | Union | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $136,356 | $304,083 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $832 | $1,180 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $31,914 | $69,324 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 4.3x | 4.4x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.31x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
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
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, 1.0x Union.
Northwest Harborcreek, PA has a cost of living index of 99, 1.2x Union.
Centerville, SC has a cost of living index of 93, 1.1x Union.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Union |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 93,850 | 86 | 1.0x |
| Northwest Harborcreek, PA | 8,753 | 99 | 1.2x |
| Centerville, SC | 7,049 | 93 | 1.1x |
| Corry, PA | 6,116 | 85 | 1.0x |
| Edinboro, PA | 5,440 | 96 | 1.1x |
