Aiken, SC vs Florence, SC: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Florence, SC has a modeled overall cost index 12.1% higher than Aiken, SC.

Aiken, SC · modeled 2BR rent
$1,295 / month
Florence, SC · modeled 2BR rent
$1,315 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Aiken, SC and Florence, SC using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $664/month in Florence, SC

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $157,965 in Florence, SC

Regional cost estimates: Aiken, SC uses Charlotte, NC. Florence, SC uses Fayetteville, NC. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 12.1%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$664
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$8.0K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Aiken, SC

Population:33K
Cost Index:
81.0
100 = national average
Typical Home:$257K

Florence, SC

Population:41K
Cost Index:
90.8
100 = national average
Typical Home:$231K

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Aiken, SC

The Palmetto State

33K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in South Carolina, this city has a population of 33K residents.

Florence, SC

The Palmetto State

41K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in South Carolina, this city has a population of 41K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Aiken, SC vs Florence, SC

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Transportation
↑ 18.2%
Aiken, SC
$1,205
Florence, SC
$1,424
Difference
$219
more
Other
↑ 11.2%
Aiken, SC
$1,712
Florence, SC
$1,904
Difference
$192
more
Housing
↑ 5.7%
Aiken, SC
$2,228
Florence, SC
$2,355
Difference
$128
more
Groceries
↑ 5.4%
Aiken, SC
$1,085
Florence, SC
$1,144
Difference
$58.75
more
All Utilities
↑ 8.7%
Aiken, SC
$570
Florence, SC
$619
Difference
$49.59
more
Healthcare
↑ 2.4%
Aiken, SC
$700
Florence, SC
$717
Difference
$16.63
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$965
To$1,110
↑ $145
1 Bed
From$1,145
To$1,120
↓ $25.00
2 Bed
From$1,295
To$1,315
↑ $20.00
3 Bed
From$1,670
To$1,685
↑ $15.00
Aiken, SCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,130–$1,160/mo

Florence, SCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,060–$1,180/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Aiken, SC
$8,164
Monthly in Florence, SC
$664
Difference

Home Values

Aiken
Florence
$257K
Median Value
$231K
↑ +1%
YoY Change
↑ +3.5%
↑ +23.1%
5-Year Change
↑ +37%
$207K - $307K
Price Range
$227K - $234K

Homes in Florence are 10% less expensive than Aiken

Calculate payment - AikenCalculate payment - Florence

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
→ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Aiken, SC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
South Carolina State Tax
Effective: 6.6%
$10.0K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.3%
$47.0K
Take-Home Pay
$8,586/month
$103.0K

Florence, SC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
South Carolina State Tax
Effective: 6.6%
$10.0K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.3%
$47.0K
Take-Home Pay
$8,586/month
$103.0K

Additional Tax Information

Aiken, SC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:0.6%

Florence, SC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%
Property Tax:0.6%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Aiken
Florence
51 Moderate
Air Quality
46 Good
46.2%
Good Air Days
63.7%
97 High
Climate Risk
89 Moderate
🌊🌪💨
Top Hazards
🌀🌪
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.5°F
36 days
Heat Days >95°F
36 days
▲+2.9°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.5°F
36 days
Heat Days >95°F
36 days

Before moving from Aiken, SC to Florence, SC

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Florence, SC for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Aiken, SC. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Aiken to Florence moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Florence, SC by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Aiken, SC vs Florence, SC

How do the cost estimates for Aiken, SC and Florence, SC compare?

Florence, SC has a modeled overall cost index 12.1% higher than Aiken, SC. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Aiken, SC, the model estimates $157,965 in Florence, SC. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Aiken, SC and Florence, SC?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $1,295/month in Aiken, SC and $1,315/month in Florence, SC. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

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