In West Columbia, assisted living residents pay $3,270 for services and housing, making this city among the most affordable places in the state and nation for care. By comparison, the average monthly rate for care in South Carolina is about 10% higher than in West Columbia, and nationally, seniors pay 38% more than the local norm. Even so, assisted living facilities in Sumter typically charge lower rates of $2,663 for services, although care costs in other cities in the region tend to be higher. For example, in Florence, monthly fees exceed rates in West Columbia at $3,456. In Charleston, monthly fees are 21% higher than in West Columbia, and in Hilton Head Island, rates are 38% higher than the local norm.