South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Greenville County, SC

The median household in Greenville County, SC earns $76,932 a year ($6,411/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,339/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,560 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$76,932$6,411 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,339HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.3-6.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population548,166Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,339Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,560To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,923At 30% of $76,932
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Greenville County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, 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 Greenville County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,166$13,992$46,64018.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,221$14,652$48,84019%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,339$16,068$53,56020.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,612$19,344$64,48025.1%
4-Bedroom Home$1,943$23,316$77,72030.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Greenville County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $76,932/year ($6,411/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$3,206/moRent ($1,339 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,923/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,282/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.

$76,932
$30,000$155,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$76,932
Net 78%
Fed 11%
SC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$60,166After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,014Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,314Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$8,095 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$2,785 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,885 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Greenville County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Greenville County, SC is $76,932 per year (approximately $6,411 per month).

What is the average rent in Greenville County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Greenville County, SC are $1,166 for a studio, $1,221 for 1 bedroom, $1,339 for 2 bedrooms, $1,612 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,943 for 4 bedrooms.

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

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Greenville 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 Greenville County, SC?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,339/month) in Greenville County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $53,560 per year ($4,463 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $76,932/year ($6,411/month) in Greenville County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,206/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,923/month to discretionary spending, and $1,282/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Greenville 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.