South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Anderson County, SC

The median household in Anderson County, SC earns $66,651 a year ($5,554/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,173/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $46,920 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$66,651$5,554 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,173HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.3-6.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population210,478Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Anderson County, SC

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,173Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$46,920To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,666At 30% of $66,651
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Anderson County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Anderson, SC HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Anderson County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,022$12,264$40,88018.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,035$12,420$41,40018.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,173$14,076$46,92021.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,519$18,228$60,76027.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,849$22,188$73,96033.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Anderson County, SC →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Anderson County, SC

Based on the local median household income of $66,651/year ($5,554/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,777/moRent ($1,173 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,666/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,111/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in South Carolina

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and South Carolina state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$66,651
$25,000$135,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$66,651
Net 80%
Fed 9%
SC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$53,616After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,468Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,062Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,833 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$2,103 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,099 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across South Carolina with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Anderson County, SC

What is the median household income in Anderson County, SC?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Anderson County, SC is $66,651 per year (approximately $5,554 per month).

What is the average rent in Anderson County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Anderson County, SC are $1,022 for a studio, $1,035 for 1 bedroom, $1,173 for 2 bedrooms, $1,519 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,849 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Anderson County, SC compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Anderson County, SC is 93.3 (6.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Anderson County, SC?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,173/month) in Anderson County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $46,920 per year ($3,910 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Anderson County, SC?

For a typical household earning the median income of $66,651/year ($5,554/month) in Anderson County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,777/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,666/month to discretionary spending, and $1,111/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Anderson County, SC?

Residential electricity rates in South Carolina average 15.6¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $140 per month.