salaryRent is lower than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.6 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $60,360 a year. That is $29 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 54 of 101 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Sumter?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Sumter
| Size | Sumter | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $303 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $687 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,132 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,254 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,635 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Sumter overall?
Everyday prices in the Sumter metro area are 12% below the U.S. average (index 88.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Sumter
Life in Sumter
What jobs pay in Sumter
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $129,820 | 13.9% |
| Software Developer | $121,880 | 14.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $112,080 | 16.2% |
| Lawyer | $101,900 | 17.8% |
| Operations Manager | $99,850 | 18.1% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,870 | 18.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $94,110 | 19.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,260 | 21.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,150 | 22.3% |
| Accountant | $78,460 | 23.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,640 | 28.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,650 | 31.4% |
| Electrician | $56,200 | 32.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $54,980 | 32.9% |
| Police Officer | $54,940 | 33.0% |
| Plumber | $50,840 | 35.6% |
| HVAC Technician | $49,880 | 36.3% |
| Truck Driver | $46,500 | 38.9% |
| Carpenter | $45,700 | 39.6% |
| Firefighter | $43,890 | 41.3% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,780 | 44.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,100 | 46.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,090 | 50.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,860 | 50.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $31,370 | 57.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,720 | 63.1% |
| Cashier | $26,710 | 67.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $17,440 | 103.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Sumter?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $128 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $199,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,910 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Sumter, SC?
Renting in Sumter costs a median of about $1,509 a month in 2026, including utilities. The South Carolina median is $1,479.
How much do I need to make to live in Sumter?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $60,360 a year, or $29 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Sumter cheap or expensive?
Sumter is rated Expensive: rent takes 30.2% of the typical household income of $59,956. It ranks 54th cheapest of 101 South Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Sumter?
The median homeowner in Sumter pays $1,123 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Sumter more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 12% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Sumter?
The median home value in Sumter is $199,100, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
43,053 people live in Sumter. Numbers are typical (middle) values.