Shaw A F B's 2025 cost of living is $2200 per month for singles and $4844 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Shaw A F B are 11% lower than the U.S. national average and 122% higher than South Carolina's state average.
This reflects a 2% increase from 2024.
The primary drivers of Shaw A F B's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Shaw A F B's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Shaw A F B's cost of living compare to the national average in 2025?
Living in Shaw A F B is less expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 37.0 % lower at $756
per month for a single person and $1385 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 14.9 %
below average at $340
monthly for an individual and $1106 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 19.9 % lower at about $701 per month
for one person and $1545 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $1797
for a single person and $4036 for a family of four,
making Shaw A F B one of America's least expensive cities.
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Shaw A F B?
Shaw A F B's 2025 cost of living is 113% lower than San Francisco,
61% less than Washington, 32% below Miami
, 26% lower than Chicago, 72% less than Boston
, and 97% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Shaw A F B.
Shaw Air Force Base (Shaw AFB) (IATA: SSC, ICAO: KSSC, FAA LID: SSC) is a United States Air Force base located approximately 8.4 miles (13.5 km) west-northwest of downtown Sumter, South Carolina. It is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC). The United States Air Force 20th Fighter Wing (20th FW) is the host unit.
It is one of the largest military bases operated by the United States, and is one of only two air bases in CONUS with an active railroad line. (Beale AFB, CA, operates a lone GE 80-ton locomotive over the base railway. In Alaska, Eielson AFB ...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Shaw A F B, SC
Healthcare access and affordability and your cost of living
South Carolina is ranked number 41 out of all states in overall healthcare access and affordability.
Healthcare costs make up a significant part of the cost of living. The ability to afford healthcare as well as the ability to access care are key indicators of how much you will be paying for this important resource if you move to another state. Affordability is generally measured by the rates set for insurance coverage in a state, as well as the out-of-pocket expenses that need to be paid by you when receiving the care. If rates or out-of-pocket expenses are high, your cost of living will increase. Access to healthcare is how easy or difficult it may be to receive the care. Access is measured by identifying barriers that might prevent the delivery of care such as the inability to obtain insurance coverage, having to travel long distances to health care centers and lack of sufficient facilities and/or healthcare professionals. The timeliness of care, how fast you can get to see a healthcare provider, is another important measure.
(2025-07-24salary.com)
Hot summers and the cost of living
South Carolina has one of the highest state-wide average temperatures during the summer months of June, July, and August. If you live in South Carolina, it is likely that your air conditioner will be running non-stop for most of the summer. This could contribute to higher energy costs during the summer based on your thermostat setting and preference for a cool indoor climate. A hot summer is usually followed by cooler temperatures during the winter months when heating expenses may be low. Because the cost of living is linked to energy costs, expect an increase in those costs during the summer months if you live in South Carolina. (2025-07-24salary.com)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
(2025-07-24salary.com)
What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
(2025-07-24salary.com)
The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
(2025-07-24salary.com)
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.