South Carolina · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Marlboro County, SC

Prices around Marlboro County, SC run 6.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, South Carolina). The typical household there earns $34,301 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.

Marlboro County, SC at a glance

Median household income

$34,301$2,858 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
Population25,975Census ACS 5-year estimate

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

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

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$902Monthly market rent
Share of gross income31.6%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$36,080To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$858At 30% of $34,301
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

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

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

HUD Fair Market Rent in Marlboro County, SC, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$685$8,220$27,40024%
1-Bedroom Apartment$687$8,244$27,48024%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$902$10,824$36,08031.6%
3-Bedroom Home$1,082$12,984$43,28037.9%
4-Bedroom Home$1,482$17,784$59,28051.8%

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

What a typical income covers in Marlboro County, SC

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $34,301 a year ($2,858 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,429/moRent ($902 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$858/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$572/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $34,301 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.

$34,301
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$34,301
Net 86%
Fed 6%
SC 1%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$29,357After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,446Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,129Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,936 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$384 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,624 / yr

Living in Marlboro County, SC: common questions

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

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Marlboro County, SC is $34,301 per year (approximately $2,858 per month).

What is the average rent in Marlboro County, SC?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $685 for a studio, $687 for one bedroom, $902 for two, $1,082 for three and $1,482 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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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 105% of what the typical household in Marlboro County, SC earns.

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

On the local median income of $34,301 ($2,858 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,429 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $858 for everything else and $572 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $902 takes 63% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Marlboro 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.