Ninety Six star fort SC1 · Acroterion / CC BY-SA 4.0Lou Ellen Dr, Ninety Six · Donna Wells / CC BY 4.0Ninety Six citizens working to remove trees after Helene · G1B71 / CC BY 4.0A completely blocked off road in Ninety Six after Helene · G1B71 / CC BY 4.0
Ninety Six is a small town of 2,579 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $55,694
and a 7.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 91 (US average = 100), which is
9% below the national average.
Strengths:
Ninety Six stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Ninety Six is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Ninety Six 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: 91.0
Ninety Six's overall cost of living index is 91.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Ninety Six costs roughly 9% less than the average American city.
Metric
Ninety Six, SC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$112,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$840
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
72.1%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$55,694
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Ninety Six's violent crime rate is 243.1 per 100,000 residents
— 36% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
243.1 /100k
Property Crime
875.1 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Ninety Six is served primarily by Greenwood 52.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Ninety Six, SC
National Avg
School District
Greenwood 52
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
24.5%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
87.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Ninety Six sees average highs of 53.8°F in January
and 90.4°F in July,
with 47.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.4 inches of snow per year.
Ninety Six's cost of living index is 91, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Ninety Six roughly 9% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $112,100 and median rent is $840/month.
Ninety Six's violent crime rate is 243.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 875.1 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Ninety Six are operated by Greenwood 52.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.8:1. 24.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Ninety Six, SC has a population of 2,579, a median household income of $55,694, and an unemployment rate of 7.2%.
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.
Ninety Six averages 53.8°F in January and 90.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 47.5 inches
with about 0.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Ninety Six, SC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 29666.
The population of Ninety Six, South Carolina is 2,579 with a median age of 34.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Ninety Six: cost of living index 91 (100 = US average), median home $112,100, median household income $55,694, crime index 55 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Ninety Six side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
