South Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Marion County, SC

Prices around Marion County, SC run 6.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, South Carolina). The typical household there earns $36,301 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $902 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $36,080 a year.

Marion County, SC at a glance

Median household income

$36,301$3,025 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$902HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)93.7-6.3% · BEA, South Carolina
Electricity15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Population28,664Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Marion 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$902Monthly market rent
Share of gross income29.8%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$908At 30% of $36,301
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Marion County, SC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$678$8,136$27,12022.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$823$9,876$32,92027.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$902$10,824$36,08029.8%
3-Bedroom Home$1,197$14,364$47,88039.6%
4-Bedroom Home$1,424$17,088$56,96047.1%

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

What a typical income covers in Marion County, SC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $36,301 a year ($3,025 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,513/moRent ($902 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$908/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$605/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $36,301 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.

$36,301
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,301
Net 85%
Fed 6%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,924After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,577Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,189Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,176 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$424 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,777 / yr

Living in Marion County, SC: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Marion County, SC is $36,301 per year (approximately $3,025 per month).

What is the average rent in Marion County, SC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $678 for a studio, $823 for one bedroom, $902 for two, $1,197 for three and $1,424 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 Marion 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 Marion County, SC?

To keep a $902 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $36,080 a year, or $3,007 a month. That is 99% of what the typical household in Marion County, SC earns.

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

On the local median income of $36,301 ($3,025 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,513 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $908 for everything else and $605 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $902 takes 60% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Marion 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.