What Is The Cost Of Living In Greenville, SC?

The mere mention of Greenville, South Carolina, does not stir up feelings of sheer thrills and excitement. What it does invoke is a sense of family, community, and progress. For the past four years, Greenville has been named one of the Top 10 Best Small Cities in the US.

On a cost of living scale that holds a US average of 100, Greenville rates 89.8. It may be below the national average, but Greenville scores slightly higher than the state’s average of 88.5. The most expensive city in South Carolina would be Port Royal, with a cost of living rate of 106.

Let us walk through some major expenses to check whether Greenville is the right place for your budget. These would include housing costs, taxes, utilities, food expenses, and other factors that make up the cost of living. Check out these facts and figures before deciding whether Greenville is the best move you and your family can make.

Before you decide which neighborhood works best for you, try living in the area first and scope out the rentals. Take into consideration the factors essential for you and your household, such as proximity to work, schools, and public transit.

Rental properties command almost 50% of all residential structures in Greenville. This makes it slightly easier to find a suitable place for you and your family. Currently the average rent for a 947-square foot apartment in Greenville is $1,267 per month.

Like the federal income tax structure, South Carolina has a progressive income tax system. This means that taxpayers in Greenville are subject to marginal tax rates based on income brackets. As the income goes up to higher brackets, the percentage of income you pay in taxes also goes up.

There are six income tax brackets in total, with rates ranging from 0% to as much as 7%, with individuals making over $15,400 paying the most. The following brackets apply regardless of your filing status.

Fortunately, South Carolina has one of the lowest property tax rates in the country. They average out at 0.55%, which bodes extremely well for South Carolinians compared with the national average of 1.07%. Though, at 0.69%, Greenville County’s average effective rate rate is slightly higher than the state’s 0.55%.

In other words, with an assessed home value of $172,100, you’re looking at spending about $1,184 in annual property tax payments in Greenville.

With a cost index of 76.2, transportation costs in Greenville are considerably lower than both the national and state averages. Greenville offers various public transportation options, from city buses to downtown trolleys to taxis and fun bike rentals. When driving your own car, traffic is manageable but, as you would expect, gets gnarly during rush hour.

Greenlink, the city’s transit system, under contract with the Greenville Transit Authority, manages the buses and trolleys. To give you an idea of public transportation costs in Greenville, check out the chart below.

Car insurance premiums are not cheap in Greenville; hence the same holds true for the entire state of South Carolina. You’re looking at spending close to the state average for car insurance in Greenville. The average annual rate for full coverage is $1,512, while minimum coverage is $558 per year.

Drivers in South Carolina must pay personal injury protection, and some drivers can legally drive uninsured if they pay a fee to the state. Thus, all insured drivers end up sharing the increasing cost of insurance.

It is possible to forego owning a vehicle in Greenville and taking advantage of cheap public transport. But unless you work and live downtown, it may not be the best choice for you. Biking is a good option that the Greenville local government understands and is improving infrastructure for bikers in the county.

There are 59 public schools and 38 private pre-elementary, elementary and high schools in Greenville. The average tuition for a private high school is $8,620, lower than the US average of $11,173. Christ Church Episcopal School is the most expensive high school in Greenville, with a tuition fee of $21,130.

The average tuition for a community college is $6,284 per year for in-state and $10,399 for out-of-state students. One of the largest 2-year technical colleges in the state is Greenville Technical College, with an acceptance rate of 100%. The most expensive university is Furman University Greenville, with an average in-state tuition fee of $50,464.

There are 89 daycare centers in Greenville, with an average monthly cost of $1,087.50 per child. The cost of child care in Greenville can often rival the cost of tuition at a prestigious private high school.

Greenville may seem like your typical slow southern city, but nothing could be further from the truth. The city boasts a 17,000-seat arena, a 340,000 square-foot convention center, and nationally recognized museums. It may be quieter than neighboring historic, touristy Charleston, but this city surprises everyone with its own brand of charm.

One of the biggest festivals in Greenville happens in mid-September, dubbed the “Euphoria Food, Wine & Music Festival.” Greenvillians of all shapes, ages, and sizes come out of hiding and look forward to this event every summer. “Fall for Greenville” comes in at a close second and features the best in local music, food, and crafts.

There aren’t many entertainment options in Greenville, but the ones they have are definitely worth experiencing. Here are the top attractions to check out if and when you find yourself in Greenville, South Carolina.

Related Questions

What is the climate in Greenville?

One thing Greenville has going for it is its climate does not fall in the extremes.  The average summer temperature is a high of 89° F, with a winter low of 34°F.  The hot season lasts from mid-May to September, while the coldest days of the year fall in mid-January.

Is Greenville, SC safe?

Greenville is not the safest place in South Carolina, but it is not the most crime-ridden either. The city reports a violent crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000 residents.  While it is pretty safe to be alone during the day, those chances fall 50% when walking alone at night.

How is health care in Greenville?

Unfortunately, South Carolina is the eighth-worst state in a new national ranking for health care.  Aside from high out-of-pocket spending, the state ranked 42nd for life expectancy and 40th for maternal mortality rate. However, the Greenville Health System and the Bon Secours St. Francis offer high-level cancer care and level one trauma centers.