salaryRent here is among the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.9 years of household income. Most households rent (74%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 56.1% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $24,360 a year. That is $12 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of South Carolina. It is number 1 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Central?
Share of households by yearly income. 12.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Central
| Size | Central | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $601 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $724 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,152 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,649 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $572 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Central overall?
Everyday prices in South Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Central, so the South Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Central
Life in Central
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Central?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,171 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $256,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $25,660 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Central, SC?
Renting in Central costs a median of about $609 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Central?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $24,360 a year, or $12 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Central cheap or expensive?
Central is rated Cheap: rent takes 11.2% of the typical household income of $64,988. It ranks 1st cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Central?
The median homeowner in Central pays $936 a year in property taxes, about 0.36% of the median home value.
Is Central more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in South Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Central?
The median home value in Central is $256,600, about 3.9 times the typical yearly household income.
5,320 people live in Central. Numbers are typical (middle) values.