| Index | Greenville | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 119 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 162 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 98 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Greenville is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Greenville is 119, which is 19% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Greenville cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 61.7% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 43 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Greenville. The feedback revealed that 44% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 56% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Greenville affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Greenville, for instance, where the median home price falls 85.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 7.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Greenville flaunting a median household income of $88,456, 8.8% higher than the national norm.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Greenville, the groceries index is 0.7% higher than the national average.
Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Greenville, the housing index stands at 61.7% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The Greenville cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $145,424 | $12,119 | $3,393 | $4,363 |
| Renters | $61,063 | $5,089 | $1,425 | $1,832 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| South Carolina | 6% | 9% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| South Carolina | 0% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Tigerville, SC | 2,094 | 97 | 2.5% |
| Slater-Marietta, SC | 2,150 | 85 | 15.0% |
| Judson, SC | 1,459 | 87 | 13.3% |
| Parker, SC | 12,654 | 87 | 12.8% |
| West Pelzer, SC | 1,083 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Greenville, SC | 71,185 | 119 | 18.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Broomfield, CO | 71,202 | 140 | 40.0% |
| Davis, CA | 71,215 | 175 | 75.0% |
| Glen Burnie, MD | 71,246 | 119 | 19.4% |
| Lynwood, CA | 71,286 | 142 | 41.8% |
| North Port, FL | 71,341 | 110 | 10.2% |
| Greenville, SC | 71,185 | 119 | 18.6% |
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