South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Kershaw County, SC

The median household in Kershaw County, SC earns $68,231 a year ($5,686/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,009/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $40,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$68,231$5,686 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,009HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.7-6.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population68,314Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,009Monthly market rent
Share of gross income17.7%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$40,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,706At 30% of $68,231
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kershaw County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kershaw 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.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Kershaw County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$844$10,128$33,76014.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$849$10,188$33,96014.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,009$12,108$40,36017.7%
3-Bedroom Home$1,214$14,568$48,56021.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,458$17,496$58,32025.6%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Kershaw County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $68,231/year ($5,686/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,843/moRent ($1,009 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,706/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,137/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.

$68,231
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,231
Net 80%
Fed 9%
SC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,623After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,552Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,101Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,181 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$2,208 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,220 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kershaw County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kershaw County, SC is $68,231 per year (approximately $5,686 per month).

What is the average rent in Kershaw County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kershaw County, SC are $844 for a studio, $849 for 1 bedroom, $1,009 for 2 bedrooms, $1,214 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,458 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,009/month) in Kershaw County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $40,360 per year ($3,363 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $68,231/year ($5,686/month) in Kershaw County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,843/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,706/month to discretionary spending, and $1,137/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kershaw 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.