Cost of Living in Summerville, South Carolina

Summerville, South Carolina, is a small city on the outskirts of Charleston, about a 30-minute drive inland from the Atlantic coast. In addition to being a very livable location, Summerville may be best known as the birthplace of sweet tea, a food and beverage innovation dating back to the late 1880s. To commemorate this milestone, Summerville has “Mason,” the world’s largest glass of sweet tea — a giant mason jar that holds more than 2,500 gallons of tea. Mason has become a tourist attraction. 

The cost of living in Summerville, South Carolina, is on par with the nation as a whole. The overall cost of living here is indexed at 99.6 on a scale where the average for the nation is 100. Compared to South Carolina as a whole, Summerville is a slightly more expensive place to live. South Carolina has an overall cost-of-living score of 88.5 on the cost-of-living index.

About Summerville

The population of Summerville is about 53,000. The economy in Summerville and more widely across Dorchester County is diversified, driven by manufacturing and health care sectors, which account for about one in four jobs. In addition, significant numbers of people also work in education, retailing, and professional services.

Large employers in the region include the Roper St. Francis Healthcare System, Trident Health System, and Boeing.

Settled at the time of the American Revolution, Summerville was incorporated in 1847.

How expensive is an apartment in Summerville, South Carolina?

In general, housing is more expensive in Summerville than the state on average but less expensive than big cities in the state such as Charleston. Summerville’s housing costs are indexed at 93.9, with a median home sale price of about $216,000 compared to Charleston’s indexed score of 136.9 and median home price of $316,500. The rental market has some of the same characteristics.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Summerville is $1,128. Two-bedroom apartments are becoming more expensive, with an average rent of $1,150.

Many factors are involved in rent prices. Understanding the dynamics will help you make better decisions about the factors that impact the cost of living in Summerville, South Carolina.

How do I find cheap apartments in Summerville, South Carolina?

Searching for the right apartment takes patience, but technology makes it easier than ever before. Make use of the Zumper online marketplace to narrow down your search. Before you do, you need to make some decisions about what you are looking for, what you can afford, and what compromises you are willing to make. Zumper’s online tools will allow you to search for places that fit your exact parameters, saving you time and effort.

For instance, if you are on a tight budget, you may have to consider a roommate. By living with someone else, you can share costs. A nice two-bedroom apartment that you thought was out of reach may be in your price range with a roommate who pays half the rent. Roommates also share in the costs of utilities and other living expenses.

Don’t always assume the cheapest apartments in Summerville will save you the most money. You might find a good value on the outskirts of Summerville, but it may be far away from your office and home. This will increase your commuting expenses. Living closer to where you need to be, even though it means higher rent, may well be the better option for your budget.

Finally, consider the type of rental you seek. A luxury apartment building with a pool, a weight room, or other amenities sounds exciting. But can you afford it? You may be able to find more affordable places to live by renting out a house or a part of a house. You may not have the same amenities, but you will save a few dollars.

What is the cheapest rent in Summerville, South Carolina?

Summerville offers several choices for affordable apartments. The cheapest will be studio apartments, but those may not offer you enough space. Remember that the prices on studios and one-bedroom apartments in Summerville seem to be clustered around the same price range.

Generally, rent for apartments in Summerville range from as low as about $750 to as high as $2,500 per month.

A good rule of thumb is that you should spend no more than about 30% of your gross salary on rent. Going over that figure can put a strain on your budget, requiring compromises to afford the cost of living in Summerville, South Carolina.