South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Greenwood County, SC

The median household in Greenwood County, SC earns $52,830 a year ($4,403/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $934/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$52,830$4,403 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$934HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.7-6.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population69,489Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$934Monthly market rent
Share of gross income21.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,321At 30% of $52,830
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Greenwood County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Greenwood 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 Greenwood County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$703$8,436$28,12016%
1-Bedroom Apartment$757$9,084$30,28017.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$934$11,208$37,36021.2%
3-Bedroom Home$1,135$13,620$45,40025.8%
4-Bedroom Home$1,275$15,300$51,00029%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Greenwood County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $52,830/year ($4,403/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,201/moRent ($934 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,321/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$881/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.

$52,830
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$52,830
Net 82%
Fed 8%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,442After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,620Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,671Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,160 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,187 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,042 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Greenwood County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Greenwood County, SC is $52,830 per year (approximately $4,403 per month).

What is the average rent in Greenwood County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Greenwood County, SC are $703 for a studio, $757 for 1 bedroom, $934 for 2 bedrooms, $1,135 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,275 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($934/month) in Greenwood County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $37,360 per year ($3,113 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $52,830/year ($4,403/month) in Greenwood County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,201/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,321/month to discretionary spending, and $881/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Greenwood 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.