Hemingway is a small town of 421 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $36,042
and a 3.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Hemingway stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, longer commutes. Whether Hemingway is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Hemingway 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: 91.1
Hemingway's overall cost of living index is 91.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Hemingway costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Hemingway, SC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$136,000
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$759
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
67.3%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$36,042
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Hemingway's violent crime rate is 2375.8 per 100,000 residents
— 525% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
2375.8 /100k
Property Crime
13822.9 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Hemingway is served primarily by Williamsburg 01.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Hemingway, SC
National Avg
School District
Williamsburg 01
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
3
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
79.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Hemingway sees average highs of 57.4°F in January
and 89.8°F in July,
with 50.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.6 inches of snow per year.
Hemingway's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Hemingway roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $136,000 and median rent is $759/month.
Hemingway's violent crime rate is 2375.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 13822.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Hemingway are operated by Williamsburg 01.
The district has 4 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.2:1. 24.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Hemingway, SC has a population of 421, a median household income of $36,042, and an unemployment rate of 3.8%.
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.
Hemingway averages 57.4°F in January and 89.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 50.7 inches
with about 1.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Hemingway, South Carolina is 421 with a median age of 43.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Hemingway: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $136,000, median household income $36,042, crime index 400 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hemingway side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.