Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$52,458$4,372 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Chester County, SC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Chester County, SC
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Chester County, 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.
| Unit Size | Monthly Rent | Annual Rent | 30% Rule Min. Income | % of Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / Efficiency | $811 | $9,732 | $32,440 | 18.6% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $816 | $9,792 | $32,640 | 18.7% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,056 | $12,672 | $42,240 | 24.2% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,469 | $17,628 | $58,760 | 33.6% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,547 | $18,564 | $61,880 | 35.4% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Chester County, SC
Based on the local median household income of $52,458/year ($4,372/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:
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.
Related Regional & Financial Profiles
Compare earnings and living costs across South Carolina with official federal datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Chester County, SC
What is the median household income in Chester County, SC?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Chester County, SC is $52,458 per year (approximately $4,372 per month).
What is the average rent in Chester County, SC?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Chester County, SC are $811 for a studio, $816 for 1 bedroom, $1,056 for 2 bedrooms, $1,469 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,547 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Chester County, SC compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Chester County, SC is 97.3 (2.7% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Chester County, SC?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,056/month) in Chester County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $42,240 per year ($3,520 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Chester County, SC?
For a typical household earning the median income of $52,458/year ($4,372/month) in Chester County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,186/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,311/month to discretionary spending, and $874/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Chester 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.