Is Greenville expensive to live in?

Greenville is on the pricier side of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,113 per month ranks #67 of 158 and is 7% higher than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Greenville?

Average rent in Greenville, SC runs a studio around $1,175, a one-bedroom around $1,113, a two-bedroom around $1,325, a three-bedroom around $1,550 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Greenville?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,113 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year. The median household income here is $68,460.

How much does it cost to live in Greenville per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Greenville is about $1,300 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Greenville, SC

Population 71,755 · South Carolina

~$1,300/mo est.1BR $1,113Home $453,300

Compare with:

The cost of living in Greenville, SC is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,113 a month — 7% higher than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,175 and two-bedrooms $1,325.

Median household income here is $68,460, about the same as the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,300 before food and transport. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,113

Studio

$1,175

1 Bedroom

$1,113

2 Bedroom

$1,325

3 Bedroom

$1,550

Buying a Home$453,300

Median Home Value

$453,300

Income$68,460

Median Household Income

$68,460

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,580

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesSouth

Milk (gal)

$4.00

Bread (lb)

$1.75

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, South (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.6¢/kWh

Electricity

15.6¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$29.07/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (East Coast (PADD 1))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (SC)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 6.00%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime649.8 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

649.8

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,479.3

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Greenville Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.8 yrs

Median Age

34.8 yrs

Homeownership

41.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.0%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Climate60.5°F

Avg Annual Temperature

60.5°F

Annual Precipitation

50.8 in

Greenville cost of living — FAQ

Is Greenville expensive to live in?: Greenville is on the pricier side of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,113 per month ranks #67 of 158 and is 7% higher than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Greenville?: Average rent in Greenville, SC runs a studio around $1,175, a one-bedroom around $1,113, a two-bedroom around $1,325, a three-bedroom around $1,550 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Greenville?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,113 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year. The median household income here is $68,460.
How much does it cost to live in Greenville per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Greenville is about $1,300 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Greenville with nearby cities

Greenville vs Charlotte Greenville vs Columbia Greenville vs Augusta Greenville vs Atlanta Greenville vs Charleston Greenville vs Raleigh

Nearby cities

Charlotte, NC 91 mi Columbia, SC 97 mi Augusta, GA 98 mi Atlanta, GA 137 mi Charleston, SC 201 mi Raleigh, NC 221 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.