South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Oconee County, SC

The median household in Oconee County, SC earns $62,388 a year ($5,199/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $941/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $37,640 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 6.3% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$62,388$5,199 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$941HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)93.7-6.3% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population80,469Official resident count

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

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

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$941Monthly market rent
Share of gross income18.1%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,640To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,560At 30% of $62,388
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Oconee County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Oconee 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 Oconee County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$712$8,544$28,48013.7%
1-Bedroom Apartment$717$8,604$28,68013.8%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$941$11,292$37,64018.1%
3-Bedroom Home$1,153$13,836$46,12022.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,337$16,044$53,48025.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Oconee County, SC →

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

Based on the local median household income of $62,388/year ($5,199/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,600/moRent ($941 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,560/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 93.7 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,040/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.

$62,388
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$62,388
Net 81%
Fed 9%
SC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$50,488After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,207Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,942Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,307 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,821 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,773 / yr

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Oconee County, SC

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Oconee County, SC is $62,388 per year (approximately $5,199 per month).

What is the average rent in Oconee County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Oconee County, SC are $712 for a studio, $717 for 1 bedroom, $941 for 2 bedrooms, $1,153 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,337 for 4 bedrooms.

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

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

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($941/month) in Oconee County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $37,640 per year ($3,137 per month).

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

For a typical household earning the median income of $62,388/year ($5,199/month) in Oconee County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,600/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,560/month to discretionary spending, and $1,040/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Oconee 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.