Summerton is a small town of 714 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $36,164
and a 21.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100), which is
15% below the national average.
Strengths:
Summerton 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, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Summerton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Summerton 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: 85.1
Summerton's overall cost of living index is 85.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Summerton costs roughly 15% less than the average American city.
Metric
Summerton, SC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$118,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$390
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
52.2%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$36,164
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Summerton's violent crime rate is 2813.3 per 100,000 residents
— 640% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
2813.3 /100k
Property Crime
7800.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Summerton is served primarily by Clarendon 06.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.3:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Summerton, SC
National Avg
School District
Clarendon 06
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
4
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
34.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
82.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Summerton sees average highs of 55.2°F in January
and 90.5°F in July,
with 55.7 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.5 inches of snow per year.
Summerton's cost of living index is 85, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Summerton roughly 15% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $118,500 and median rent is $390/month.
Summerton's violent crime rate is 2813.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 7800.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Summerton are operated by Clarendon 06.
The district has 4 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.3:1. 34.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Summerton, SC has a population of 714, a median household income of $36,164, and an unemployment rate of 21.8%.
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.
Summerton averages 55.2°F in January and 90.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 55.7 inches
with about 0.5 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Summerton, South Carolina is 714 with a median age of 42.4. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Summerton: cost of living index 85 (100 = US average), median home $118,500, median household income $36,164, 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 Summerton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
