The Cost Of Living In The Carolinas

Everywhere you turn these days, watching television, reading the newspaper, or just a conversation with friends, the topic seems to be about the economy. While helplessness may be intertwined with feelings and thoughts of hopelessness, there is something you can do other than wait for a change by our President elect.

A little research can ensure the safety and comfort of your future, amongst all the talk of gloom and doom.

Whatever the reasons you're interested in relocating to North Carolina or South Carolina, be it retirement, change in lifestyle, climate, or affordability, there's light in the midst of all the “ pessimism.”

For the most part, North Carolina and South Carolina did not see the hyper price booms experienced in other parts of the country, so things have remained more affordable. They experienced stable steady growth, and many areas have healthier job markets compared to the rest of the country, right now.

In your search for the best places to live in North Carolina and South Carolina, it's important to look at The Cost of Living Index. The Council for Community and Economic Research conducts a nationwide survey and calculates the cost of living index each quarter. Cost of living is the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living. The Cost of Living Index measures the relative price levels for consumer goods and services compared against the national average. The national average is always 100. Indexes below 100 indicate lower prices (less expensive) than the national average.

We researched 32 cities and towns in South Carolina and 53 cities and towns in North Carolina for their 2008 Cost of Living Indexes. The average Cost of Living Index for South Carolina is 85, and North Carolina is 89. Below are the top 10 cities (lowest indexes) in North and South Carolina.

What does all this mean? Simply put……there are plenty of affordable “places of value” in North Carolina and South Carolina! It means living in the climate you love, living the lifestyle you and your family dream of, and being able to afford it.

As far as I'm concerned, this is great news!

Please email me, if you want the full list of all 85 places.

South Carolina

• Abbeville 78.5
• Chester 79.4
• Greenwood 79.4
• Hartsville 79.5
• Bennettsville 79.7
• Laurens 79.9
• Orangeburg 80.2
• Newberry 80.3
• Gaffney 80.8
• Sumter 81.1

North Carolina

• Mount Airy 79.7
• Marion 79.9
• Lenoir 80.2
• Forest City 80.8
• Goldsboro 81.0
• Kannapolis 81.4
• Lincolnton 81.4
• Salisbury 81.8
• Fayetteville 81.9
• Dunn 82.1