South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in McCormick County, SC

The median household in McCormick County, SC earns $55,798 a year ($4,650/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $956/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $38,240 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$55,798$4,650 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$956HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.7-6.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population9,760Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$956Monthly market rent
Share of gross income20.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$38,240To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,395At 30% of $55,798
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: McCormick County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for McCormick 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 McCormick County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$719$8,628$28,76015.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$729$8,748$29,16015.7%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$956$11,472$38,24020.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,251$15,012$50,04026.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,320$15,840$52,80028.4%

See dedicated rental breakdown for McCormick County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $55,798/year ($4,650/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,325/moRent ($956 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,395/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$930/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.

$55,798
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$55,798
Net 82%
Fed 8%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$45,630After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,803Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,755Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,516 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,384 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,269 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in McCormick County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in McCormick County, SC is $55,798 per year (approximately $4,650 per month).

What is the average rent in McCormick County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in McCormick County, SC are $719 for a studio, $729 for 1 bedroom, $956 for 2 bedrooms, $1,251 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,320 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($956/month) in McCormick County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $38,240 per year ($3,187 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $55,798/year ($4,650/month) in McCormick County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,325/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,395/month to discretionary spending, and $930/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in McCormick 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.