Cost of living comparison
South Carolina is 2.4% cheaper than Illinois.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.9% more in South Carolina
- Groceries
-
pay 6.2% more in South Carolina
- Transportation
-
pay 7.8% less in South Carolina
- Housing
-
pay 8.2% more in South Carolina
- Childcare
-
pay 7.7% less in South Carolina
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 15.4% less in South Carolina
- Clothing
-
pay 2.2% less in South Carolina
The cost of housing, groceries, and restaurants in South Carolina are more expensive than in Illinois. Expenses including entertainment and sports, transportation, childcare, and clothing are lower in South Carolina.
If you lived in South Carolina instead of Illinois, you would:
pay 1.9% more for restaurants
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$16.03
|
$17.57
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.33
|
$10.40
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.49
|
$2.41
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.85
|
$1.86
|
|
pay 6.2% more for groceries
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.19
|
$3.02
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.63
|
$4.99
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.30
|
$3.25
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.92
|
$2.94
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.08
|
$4.81
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.10
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.66
|
$0.81
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.05
|
$2.11
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.82
|
$1.90
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.98
|
$1.25
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.20
|
$1.37
|
|
pay 7.8% less for transportation
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$3.08
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$72.95
|
$49.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,096.73
|
$30,676.82
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.96
|
$19.29
|
|
pay 8.2% more for housing
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$65.96
|
$63.14
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,375.37
|
$1,510.93
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,146.99
|
$1,398.21
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$137.37
|
$144.70
|
|
pay 7.7% less for childcare
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,394.11
|
$1,335.89
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$24,405.00
|
$21,679.50
|
|
pay 15.4% less for entertainment and sports
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.17
|
$4.79
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.81
|
$5.08
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.79
|
$7.37
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$60.87
|
$29.76
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.50
|
$12.57
|
|
pay 2.2% less for clothing
|
Illinois
|
South Carolina
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$51.50
|
$45.07
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$41.59
|
$39.58
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$80.60
|
$89.11
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$115.89
|
$113.24
|
|
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