Key Economic Benchmarks
Median Household Income
$77,408$6,451 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-YearFair market rent & 30% rule in Lexington County, SC
Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.
2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Lexington County, SC
Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Columbia, 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 | $1,032 | $12,384 | $41,280 | 16% |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,164 | $13,968 | $46,560 | 18% |
| 2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark | $1,276 | $15,312 | $51,040 | 19.8% |
| 3-Bedroom Home | $1,623 | $19,476 | $64,920 | 25.2% |
| 4-Bedroom Home | $1,911 | $22,932 | $76,440 | 29.6% |
50/30/20 Living Budget in Lexington County, SC
Based on the local median household income of $77,408/year ($6,451/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 Lexington County, SC
What is the median household income in Lexington County, SC?
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Lexington County, SC is $77,408 per year (approximately $6,451 per month).
What is the average rent in Lexington County, SC?
According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Lexington County, SC are $1,032 for a studio, $1,164 for 1 bedroom, $1,276 for 2 bedrooms, $1,623 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,911 for 4 bedrooms.
How does the cost of living in Lexington County, SC compare to the national average?
Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Lexington 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 Lexington County, SC?
Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,276/month) in Lexington County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $51,040 per year ($4,253 per month).
What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Lexington County, SC?
For a typical household earning the median income of $77,408/year ($6,451/month) in Lexington County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $3,225/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,935/month to discretionary spending, and $1,290/month to savings and debt repayment.
What are typical electricity and utility costs in Lexington 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.