What are the schools like in Chapin, SC?

Chapin is served primarily by Lexington 05. The district operates 13 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 5 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1.

What is the median household income in Chapin?

The median household income in Chapin, SC is $77,917 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 9.3%.

What is the weather like in Chapin, SC?

Chapin has an average high temperature of 54.7°F in January and 91.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 44.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 1.4 inches.

Chapin, SC Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Chapin, SC affordable or expensive?

Chapin's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Chapin is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $186,200 and the median rent is $1,418 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Chapin, SC?

Chapin has a violent crime rate of 412.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1237.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Chapin, SC a Good Place to Live?

Chapin is a small town of 1,543 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $77,917 and a 9.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Chapin stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Chapin is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Chapin city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.9

Chapin's overall cost of living index is 92.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Chapin costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Chapin, SC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$186,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,418	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	82.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$77,917	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Safer than Average

Chapin's violent crime rate is 412.6 per 100,000 residents — 9% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

412.6 /100k

Property Crime

1237.8 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Chapin is served primarily by Lexington 05. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Chapin, SC	National Avg
School District	Lexington 05	—
Elementary Schools	13	—
Middle Schools	5	—
High Schools	5	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	33.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.7%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Chapin sees average highs of 54.7°F in January and 91.0°F in July, with 44.8 inches of annual precipitation and 1.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Chapin, SC
Average High — January	54.7°F
Average High — July	91.0°F
Annual Precipitation	44.8"
Annual Snowfall	1.4"

Demographics

Metric	Chapin, SC	National Avg
Population	1,543	—
Median Age	38.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	9.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	83.4%	59.3%
Black or African American	10.7%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.4%	18.9%
Asian	1.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.5%	22.2%
65 and over	14.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Little Mountain, SC 5 mi Peak, SC 5 mi Lake Murray of Richland, SC 5 mi Pomaria, SC 8 mi Irmo, SC 9 mi

Chapin vs Other Cities

Chapin, SC vs Little Mountain, SC Chapin, SC vs Peak, SC Chapin, SC vs Lake Murray of Richland, SC Chapin, SC vs Pomaria, SC Chapin, SC vs Irmo, SC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chapin, SC affordable or expensive?

Chapin's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Chapin roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $186,200 and median rent is $1,418/month.

What is the crime rate in Chapin, SC?

Chapin's violent crime rate is 412.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1237.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Chapin?

Public schools in Chapin are operated by Lexington 05. The district has 13 elementary, 5 middle, and 5 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1. 33.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Chapin, SC a good place to live?

Chapin, SC has a population of 1,543, a median household income of $77,917, and an unemployment rate of 9.3%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Chapin?

Chapin averages 54.7°F in January and 91.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 44.8 inches with about 1.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What is the population of Chapin?

The population of Chapin, South Carolina is 1,543 with a median age of 38.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Chapin?

Key numbers for living in Chapin: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $186,200, median household income $77,917, crime index 89 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Chapin side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.