Union is a small town of 8,099 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $32,548
and a 15.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Union stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Union is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Union 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: 89.7
Union's overall cost of living index is 89.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Union costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Union, SC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$98,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$773
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
47.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$32,548
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Union's violent crime rate is 975.0 per 100,000 residents
— 157% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
975.0 /100k
Property Crime
6555.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Union is served primarily by Union 01.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Union, SC
National Avg
School District
Union 01
—
Elementary Schools
4
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
17.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
82.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Union sees average highs of 52.9°F in January
and 90.4°F in July,
with 45.2 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.9 inches of snow per year.
Union's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Union roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $98,100 and median rent is $773/month.
Union's violent crime rate is 975.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 6555.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Union are operated by Union 01.
The district has 4 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1. 17.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Union, SC has a population of 8,099, a median household income of $32,548, and an unemployment rate of 15.3%.
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.
Union averages 52.9°F in January and 90.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.2 inches
with about 1.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Union, SC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 29379.
The population of Union, South Carolina is 8,099 with a median age of 45.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Union: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $98,100, median household income $32,548, crime index 279 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Union side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
