C+

Pauline, SC

Source:

Affordability Score: 64/100

Population: 3,534 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Pauline, SC aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 3,534 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C+ (64/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $78,397, median home value of $247,000, median rent of $848 per month, and 23.7% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,187 per month (studio $1,034, 1BR $1,083, 3BR $1,439, 4BR $1,661). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $10,344 per year, consuming 13% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Strengths visible in the raw data for Pauline, SC include rent. Pressure points are education. Unemployment currently reads 3.1% and poverty 6.4% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income B-
$78,397
Median household income
Education F
23.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.2x
Home value $247,000 vs income
Commute N/A
N/A
Average commute time
Rent A-
$1,187/mo
2BR fair market rent (18% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare C
$10,344/yr
Center-based infant care (13% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$78,397
▲ 26% vs national
Per Capita Income
$36,293
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Poverty Rate
6.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
$247,000
▼ 10% vs national
Median Rent
$848/mo
Owner Occupied
91.8%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,187/mo
▼ 1% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,034
1BR
$1,083
2BR
$1,187
3BR
$1,439
4BR
$1,661

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
23.7%
▼ 6 ppt vs national
High School+
59.2%
Median Age
48.6
Avg. Commute

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$10,344/yr
13% of income
Toddler (Center)
$9,622/yr
Preschool (Center)
$9,418/yr
School-Age (Center)
$7,158/yr

What This Means

Pauline, SC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (64/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 3,534. This area performs well in rent. Challenges include education. Data was unavailable for commute, safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Pauline, SC affordable?
Pauline, SC receives an overall affordability grade of C+ (64/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $78,397. Median home value is $247,000.
What is the cost of living in Pauline?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $848/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,187/mo. Infant childcare $10,344/yr. Median home value $247,000.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →