Skyline of Summerville
Cost of Living: 95 52,000

Summerville, SC, US

Flowertown in the Charleston suburbs with historic homes and Azalea Park.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Summerville is a city in SC with a population of 52,000. Flowertown in the Charleston suburbs with historic homes and Azalea Park. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income $58,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Summerville vs US Average

Cost of Living
Summerville: 95
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Summerville: 100
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Summerville: 3%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3.0%
  • Sales Tax: 7.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $58,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 52,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 215/year
  • Summer High: 90°F
  • Winter Low: 38°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $320,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1200/mo

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Cost of Living

Summerville's cost of living index is 95 (US average = 100).

CategorySummervilleNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$320,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,500/mo
Price per Sq Ft$213

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Summerville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$98Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$44Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$10Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$292Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Summerville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
$1200
Sunny Days
215
Tax
3%
Unemployment
3.0%
Climate
90°F / 38°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
52,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Summerville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January58°F38°F2.5"
April75°F53°F2.8"
July90°F65°F1.5"
October70°F56°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Summerville faces the following natural hazards:

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal city affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Charleston area with historical earthquake risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 3%
  • Sales Tax: 7%
  • Property Tax: ~0.57% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to May/June
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-May/June)
Summer Break Late May to August (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March or April (1 week)

State mandates 180 school days.

Demographics

The population of Summerville is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
1.4%
Black or African American
20.1%
Hispanic or Latino
8.3%
Native American
0.3%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.0%
Other
0.1%
Two or more races
3.8%
White
66.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.7%
High school graduate
25.2%
Less than high school
6.4%
Some college
36.7%

Religion

Christian
78.0%
Other
6.0%
Unaffiliated
16.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Summerville, SC, US?

The cost of living index in Summerville is 95, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Summerville?

The median home price in Summerville is $320,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Summerville is approximately $1200/mo.

Does Summerville, SC have income tax?

Summerville is in SC, which has an income tax rate of 3%.

What is the climate like in Summerville?

Summerville enjoys approximately 215 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 90°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.