salaryRent is higher than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.0 years of household income. Most households rent (78%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $71,600 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of South Carolina. It is number 78 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Laurel Bay?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Laurel Bay
| Size | Laurel Bay | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,262 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,560 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,600 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Laurel Bay overall?
Everyday prices in South Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Laurel Bay, so the South Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Laurel Bay
Life in Laurel Bay
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Laurel Bay?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $182 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $231,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $23,180 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Laurel Bay, SC?
Renting in Laurel Bay costs a median of about $1,790 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Laurel Bay?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $71,600 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Laurel Bay cheap or expensive?
Laurel Bay is rated Expensive: rent takes 36.6% of the typical household income of $58,611. It ranks 78th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Laurel Bay?
The median homeowner in Laurel Bay pays $1,430 a year in property taxes, about 0.62% of the median home value.
Is Laurel Bay more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in South Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Laurel Bay?
The median home value in Laurel Bay is $231,800, about 4.0 times the typical yearly household income.
5,882 people live in Laurel Bay. Numbers are typical (middle) values.