South Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Barnwell County, SC

Prices around Barnwell County, SC run 6.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, South Carolina). The typical household there earns $46,626 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $930 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $37,200 a year.

Barnwell County, SC at a glance

Median household income

$46,626$3,886 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$930HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)93.7-6.3% · BEA, South Carolina
Electricity15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Population20,521Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Barnwell County, SC?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$930Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23.9%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$37,200To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,166At 30% of $46,626
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Barnwell County, SC? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Barnwell County, SC, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Barnwell County, SC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$699$8,388$27,96018%
1-Bedroom Apartment$709$8,508$28,36018.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$930$11,160$37,20023.9%
3-Bedroom Home$1,115$13,380$44,60028.7%
4-Bedroom Home$1,231$14,772$49,24031.7%

Rent in Barnwell County, SC, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Barnwell County, SC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $46,626 a year ($3,886 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,943/moRent ($930 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,166/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$777/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $46,626 leaves after South Carolina taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and South Carolina tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$46,626
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,626
Net 83%
Fed 7%
SC 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$38,869After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,239Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,495Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,415 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$775 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,567 / yr

Living in Barnwell County, SC: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Barnwell County, SC is $46,626 per year (approximately $3,886 per month).

What is the average rent in Barnwell County, SC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $699 for a studio, $709 for one bedroom, $930 for two, $1,115 for three and $1,231 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Barnwell County, SC expensive to live in?

Prices there run 6.3% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for South Carolina is 93.7, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Barnwell County, SC?

To keep a $930 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $37,200 a year, or $3,100 a month. That is 80% of what the typical household in Barnwell County, SC earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Barnwell County, SC?

On the local median income of $46,626 ($3,886 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,943 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,166 for everything else and $777 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $930 takes 48% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Barnwell County, SC?

Homes in South Carolina paid 15.6¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $140. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.