South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Laurens County, SC

The median household in Laurens County, SC earns $57,623 a year ($4,802/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,133/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $45,320 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.7% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$57,623$4,802 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,133HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.3-6.7% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population68,666Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,133Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$45,320To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,441At 30% of $57,623
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Laurens County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Laurens 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 Laurens County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$863$10,356$34,52018%
1-Bedroom Apartment$869$10,428$34,76018.1%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,133$13,596$45,32023.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,358$16,296$54,32028.3%
4-Bedroom Home$1,625$19,500$65,00033.8%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Laurens County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $57,623/year ($4,802/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,401/moRent ($1,133 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,441/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.3 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$960/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.

$57,623
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$57,623
Net 82%
Fed 8%
SC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$46,975After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,915Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,807Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,735 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,505 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,408 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Laurens County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Laurens County, SC is $57,623 per year (approximately $4,802 per month).

What is the average rent in Laurens County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Laurens County, SC are $863 for a studio, $869 for 1 bedroom, $1,133 for 2 bedrooms, $1,358 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,625 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,133/month) in Laurens County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $45,320 per year ($3,777 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $57,623/year ($4,802/month) in Laurens County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,401/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,441/month to discretionary spending, and $960/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Laurens 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.