From Charleston’s colorful and well-preserved architecture, and beautiful coastline filled with iconic South Carolina beach towns, to lush landscapes, Southern cuisine, and a perfect blend of city life and miles of coastline, South Carolina is an amazing state. If you’ve been considering moving to South Carolina or are hoping to relocate to a new city, you also probably have a budget you’d like to stay under as you look for a place to live. For example, the median home sale price in South Carolina is $380,500 as of April.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 7 of the most affordable places to live in South Carolina. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $380,500. So let’s find out which cities made the list.
#1: Sumter
Median home price: $200,000
Average sale price per square foot: $128
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $940
Nearest major metro: Columbia (45 miles)
Median household income: $1,064
Sumter, SC homes for sale
Sumter, SC apartments for rent
Home to about 42,700 residents, Sumter takes first place. It’s about 180K less expensive than the median home sale price in South Carolina, so you’ll save substantially. In Sumter you can find places like Swan Lake Iris Gardens, Patriot Park, and Sumter Speedway – all great areas to spend the day outside. Or if you’re looking for something to do indoors, you can check out the Sumter Museum, featuring historic exhibits in a stunning Edwardian house dating back to 1916.
#2: Florence
Median home price: $219,950
Average sale price per square foot: $136
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,035
Median household income: $56,031
Nearest major metro: Myrtle Beach (70 miles)
Florence, SC homes for sale
Florence, SC apartments for rent
Claiming the second spot on our list of most affordable places to live in South Carolina is Florence. With a median home sale price of $219,950, it’s nearly $160K less than the state’s average. About 40,600 people live in Florence, which is located in the northeastern part of South Carolina. There is plenty to explore in Florence, such as the charming downtown area home to landmarks like Florence County Museum and Florence Little Theatre. You can also enjoy the scenic views at Jeffries Creek Park, a 55-acre park with plenty of trails and picnic areas.
#3: Columbia
Median home price: $273,000
Average sale price per square foot: $154
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,125
Median household income: $47,416
Columbia, SC homes for sale
Columbia, SC apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $273,000, Columbia is the third city on our list of most affordable places to live in South Carolina. Columbia is home to roughly 136,600 residents. Living in Columbia, you can visit the historic South Carolina State House, explore Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, boat, fish, or relax at Lake Murray, and see the art at the Columbia Museum of Art.