Skyline of Greenville
Cost of Living: 96.5 70,720

Greenville, SC, US

Falls Park on the Reedy with a stunning downtown revival and Southern hospitality.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 96.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 92.5

Affordable

Median Income $58,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.6%

Job market health

Greenville vs US Average

Cost of Living
Greenville: 96.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Greenville: 92.5
US Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Greenville: 6.5%
US Avg: ~5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $58,000
  • Unemployment: 2.6%
  • Population: 70,720

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 220/year
  • Summer High: 89°F
  • Winter Low: 32°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $295,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1300/mo

Cost of Living

Greenville's cost of living index is 96.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryGreenvilleNational AverageDifference
Overall96.5100-3.5%
Housing92.5100-7.5%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$295,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,625/mo
Price per Sq Ft$196

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Greenville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$100Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$66Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$7Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$60Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$303Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Greenville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
96.5
Rent
$1300
Sunny Days
220
Tax
6.5%
Unemployment
2.6%
Climate
89°F / 32°F
Safety
9.5 homicides/100k
Population
70,720
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Greenville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January52°F32°F2.5"
April74°F47°F2.8"
July89°F64°F1.5"
October69°F50°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Greenville faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Flash floods.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat waves.

Hurricane High Risk

Coastal areas affected by hurricanes.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Piedmont region with landslide risk.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Charleston area with historical earthquake risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk in forested areas.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 6.5%
  • Sales Tax: 6%
  • Property Tax: ~0.72% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.6%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Greenville per 100,000 residents:

644.4
Violent Crime
3,468.4
Property Crime
9.5
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

100/100
School Quality Score
?
56
Total Schools

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Greenville, SC, US?

The cost of living index in Greenville is 96.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Greenville?

The median home price in Greenville is $295,000. The housing index is 92.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Greenville is approximately $1300/mo.

Does Greenville, SC have income tax?

Greenville is in SC, which has an income tax rate of 6.5%.

What is the climate like in Greenville?

Greenville enjoys approximately 220 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 89°F, while winter lows can drop to around 32°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.