salaryRent is lower than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18.9 minutes. Most households rent (66%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 59.4% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,440 a year. That is $23 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 33 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Clemson?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Clemson
| Size | Clemson | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $914 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,074 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,053 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,265 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Clemson 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 Clemson, so the South Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Clemson
Life in Clemson
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Clemson?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,578 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $398,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $39,840 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Clemson, SC?
Renting in Clemson costs a median of about $1,186 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Clemson?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,440 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Clemson cheap or expensive?
Clemson is rated OK: rent takes 26.6% of the typical household income of $53,407. It ranks 33rd cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Clemson?
The median homeowner in Clemson pays $1,912 a year in property taxes, about 0.48% of the median home value.
Is Clemson 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 Clemson?
The median home value in Clemson is $398,400, about 7.5 times the typical yearly household income.
18,072 people live in Clemson. Numbers are typical (middle) values.