Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Sumter, SC

    Is Sumter a good place to live?

    Watch Sumter

    Sumter ranks #21 of 22 South Carolina cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (25/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $188,400
    +9.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,055
    per month
    Household income
    $53,071
    median
    Unemployment
    7.8%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Sumter

    The median home value in Sumter is $188,400 and median rent is $1,055 a month, against a median household income of $53,071. Homes cost about 3.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Sumter crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across South Carolina the 2025 rate was 389 violent and 1,715 property crimes per 100,000 people — #17 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Sumter, SC

    Sumter has about 43,065 residents, 7.8% unemployment and 18% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Sumter with

    Sumter vs CharlestonSumter vs ColumbiaSumter vs North CharlestonSumter vs Mount PleasantSumter vs Rock HillSumter vs GreenvilleSumter vs SummervilleSumter vs Goose Creek

    More: Where to move in South Carolina · Best counties in South Carolina

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report