salaryRent is higher than in 51% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.3 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 19 minutes. Most households rent (59%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 55.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,760 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other South Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of South Carolina. It is number 66 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Greenville?
Share of households by yearly income. 27.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Greenville
| Size | Greenville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,235 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,251 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,470 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,680 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,850 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Greenville overall?
Everyday prices in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 93.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Greenville
Life in Greenville
What jobs pay in Greenville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $135,580 | 14.8% |
| Lawyer | $124,970 | 16.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $123,310 | 16.2% |
| Software Developer | $121,790 | 16.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,280 | 16.8% |
| Operations Manager | $106,750 | 18.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $102,830 | 19.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $99,830 | 20.1% |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,290 | 23.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,400 | 24.6% |
| Accountant | $76,870 | 26.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $71,910 | 27.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $61,960 | 32.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,680 | 33.0% |
| Electrician | $60,210 | 33.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,760 | 34.1% |
| Police Officer | $57,780 | 34.7% |
| Truck Driver | $53,080 | 37.7% |
| Plumber | $50,890 | 39.4% |
| Carpenter | $50,090 | 40.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,860 | 44.6% |
| Firefighter | $39,980 | 50.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,010 | 51.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,520 | 52.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,220 | 53.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,680 | 56.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,840 | 64.9% |
| Cashier | $29,080 | 68.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $19,950 | 100.4% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Greenville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,714 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $487,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,750 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Greenville, SC?
Renting in Greenville costs a median of about $1,669 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Greenville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,760 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Greenville cheap or expensive?
Greenville is rated OK: rent takes 26.0% of the typical household income of $77,083. It ranks 66th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Greenville?
The median homeowner in Greenville pays $2,630 a year in property taxes, about 0.54% of the median home value.
Is Greenville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Greenville?
The median home value in Greenville is $487,500, about 6.3 times the typical yearly household income.
72,935 people live in Greenville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.