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Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Cost of living in Lancaster County, SC

Part of the Charlotte Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,128/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 100,905 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $987 32%
Federal tax $579 19%
Healthcare $480 15%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $318 10%
Energy $204 7%
State tax $185 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Lancaster County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$963
per month
1 bedroom
$987
per month
2 bedroom
$1,108
per month
3 bedroom
$1,514
per month
4 bedroom
$1,666
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Lancaster County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$74,751
per year
Individual earnings
$45,448
per year
Per capita
$41,492
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Lancaster County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$298,100
Annual property tax
$1,487

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Lancaster 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 Lancaster County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.3%

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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.6 min
Drive alone
73.6%
Public transit
0.1%
Work from home
16.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Lancaster County

What it costs to live in Lancaster County each month.

Single person
$3,128
per month
  • Rent $987
  • Energy $204
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $318
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $579
  • State tax $185
Couple
$4,463
per month
  • Rent $1,108
  • Energy $245
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $527
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $893
  • State tax $341
Family
$6,999
per month
  • Rent $1,514
  • Energy $306
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $800
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $893
  • State tax $341

Frequently asked questions about Lancaster County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Lancaster County?

In Lancaster County, SC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $987 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,108 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,514 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Lancaster County?

In Lancaster County, SC, the average household income is $74,751 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $45,448 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Lancaster County?

The estimated cost of living in Lancaster County, SC is approximately $3,128 per month for a single person, $4,463 for a couple, $6,999 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Lancaster County?

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

Is Lancaster County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Lancaster County, SC would need approximately $3,128 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $74,751 per year ($6,229 per month). Lancaster County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Lancaster County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Lancaster County, SC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Lancaster County?

The average home value in Lancaster County, SC is $298,100, with average annual property taxes of $1,487, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Lancaster County compare to other areas?

You can compare Lancaster County, SC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Lancaster County is in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-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 Lancaster 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