Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$48,581$4,048 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Darlington County, SC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Darlington County, SC
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Darlington 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 | $850 | $10,200 | $34,000 | 21% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $856 | $10,272 | $34,240 | 21.1% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,098 | $13,176 | $43,920 | 27.1% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,317 | $15,804 | $52,680 | 32.5% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,499 | $17,988 | $59,960 | 37% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Darlington County, SC
Based on the local median household income of $48,581/year ($4,048/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 Darlington County, SC
What is the median household income in Darlington County, SC?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Darlington County, SC is $48,581 per year (approximately $4,048 per month).
What is the average rent in Darlington County, SC?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Darlington County, SC are $850 for a studio, $856 for 1 bedroom, $1,098 for 2 bedrooms, $1,317 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,499 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Darlington County, SC compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Darlington County, SC is 86.8 (13.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).
How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Darlington County, SC?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,098/month) in Darlington County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $43,920 per year ($3,660 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Darlington County, SC?
For a typical household earning the median income of $48,581/year ($4,048/month) in Darlington County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,024/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,215/month to discretionary spending, and $810/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Darlington 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.