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Columbia, SC

Cost of living in Fairfield County, SC

Part of the Columbia Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,119/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 20,741 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,172 38%
Healthcare $480 15%
Federal tax $433 14%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $318 10%
Energy $204 7%
State tax $137 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Fairfield County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,063
per month
1 bedroom
$1,172
per month
2 bedroom
$1,298
per month
3 bedroom
$1,656
per month
4 bedroom
$1,991
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Fairfield County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$46,972
per year
Individual earnings
$36,543
per year
Per capita
$32,111
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Fairfield County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$129,100
Annual property tax
$683

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Fairfield County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$168
per month · 15.3¢/kWh
Natural gas
$36
per month
Annual total
$2,448
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Fairfield County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Fairfield County

State and local tax rates for South Carolina.

State income tax
6.4%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
7.4%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Fairfield County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.2 min
Drive alone
83.1%
Public transit
1.6%
Work from home
4.3%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Fairfield County

What it costs to live in Fairfield County each month.

Single person
$3,119
per month
  • Rent $1,172
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $318
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $433
  • State tax $137
Couple
$4,060
per month
  • Rent $1,298
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $527
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $448
  • State tax $193
Family
$6,548
per month
  • Rent $1,656
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $800
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $448
  • State tax $193

Frequently asked questions about Fairfield County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Fairfield County?

In Fairfield County, SC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,172 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,298 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,656 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Fairfield County?

In Fairfield County, SC, the average household income is $46,972 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,543 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Fairfield County?

The estimated cost of living in Fairfield County, SC is approximately $3,119 per month for a single person, $4,060 for a couple, $6,548 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Fairfield County?

The combined sales tax rate in Fairfield County, SC is 7.44%, which includes the South Carolina state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 1.44%.

Is Fairfield County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Fairfield County, SC would need approximately $3,119 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $46,972 per year ($3,914 per month). Fairfield County has a high cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Fairfield County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Fairfield County, SC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Fairfield County?

The average home value in Fairfield County, SC is $129,100, with average annual property taxes of $683, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Fairfield County compare to other areas?

You can compare Fairfield County, SC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Fairfield County is in the Columbia, SC metro area.

Other counties in South Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in South Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in South Carolina

Compare Fairfield County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources