South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Barnwell County, SC

The median household in Barnwell County, SC earns $46,626 a year ($3,886/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $930/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,200 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$46,626$3,886 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$930HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.7-6.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population20,521Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$930Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,166At 30% of $46,626
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Barnwell County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Barnwell County, SC. 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 Barnwell County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$699$8,388$27,96018%
1-Bedroom Apartment$709$8,508$28,36018.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$930$11,160$37,20023.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,115$13,380$44,60028.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,231$14,772$49,24031.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Barnwell County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $46,626/year ($3,886/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$1,943/moRent ($930 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,166/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$777/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.

$46,626
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,626
Net 83%
Fed 7%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,869After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,239Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,495Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,415 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$775 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,567 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Barnwell County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Barnwell County, SC is $46,626 per year (approximately $3,886 per month).

What is the average rent in Barnwell County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Barnwell County, SC are $699 for a studio, $709 for 1 bedroom, $930 for 2 bedrooms, $1,115 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,231 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Barnwell County, SC is 93.7 (6.3% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($930/month) in Barnwell County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $37,200 per year ($3,100 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $46,626/year ($3,886/month) in Barnwell County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $1,943/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,166/month to discretionary spending, and $777/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Barnwell 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.