Let’s talk about the cost of living in Greenville. The median household income in Greenville County is $76,334 according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, South Carolina is No. 42 in the country for median income at ~$67,804 per household. Nice — we make a little more than the state average.

But just how expensive is it to live in Greenville? Is it cheaper elsewhere? Let’s crunch the numbers.

Greenville’s cost vs. Columbia’s cost

At a glance, you can get a good sense of Greenville’s cost by comparing it to our neighbors. We used NerdWallet’s calculator to give you a look at the numbers:

Income. If you make $50,000 in Greenville, you’d need to make $51,803 for a similar lifestyle in Columbia.
Housing is 6% higher in Greenville. Even though the overall cost of living is higher in Columbia, the median rent for a two-bedroom is $1,151 in Soda City compared to the median in Greenville: $1,259.
Gas. If you moved to Columbia you’d pay 11% more on a gallon of gas. It averages at $3.24 a gallon there.
Food. You’d pay 1% more on groceries and eating out in Columbia.

How much is rent?

The median rent in Greenville County is $1,295 — higher than the average rent in South Carolina: $1,170. Compare that to the median gross rent in the US: $1,406 per the American Community Survey 1-Year estimate.

If you’re looking to buy a home in Greenville, we’ve got the stats for that too: The average house in South Carolina is valued at $294,249. In Greenville, the average home is valued higher: $308,178, up 2% over the past year.

Compare that to the average US home value at $357,138, up 2.6% over the past year.

How much do groceries cost?

Your grocery bill will vary based on your family size and dietary needs, but we can give you a sense of what you’ll be spending in the checkout line using crowd-sourcing site Numbeo. On average, a pound of tomatoes will cost you about $2.60 in Greenville and a gallon of milk averages at $3.42.

How much does it cost to eat out in Greenville? Well, if we’re talking about a Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald’s, it costs $4.81 according to NerdWallet. Compare that to the national average of $5.39 in 2024.

How much does daycare cost?

If you have a family, you need to know how much childcare costs in Greenville. Full day private preschool averages at $1,700 per month, but according to Care.com, the average weekly rate for in-home child care is cheaper: $668 for a 40-hour week.

Good to know: We have a guide to public and private schools in Greenville.

How much does healthcare cost?

According to NerdWallet, the average doctor’s visit will run you $119.86 in Greenville. Don’t forget the dentist — those visits average at $114.40. Also note that the cost of lipitor here averages at $524.24 (nearly $100 more than the price in Columbia).

In Greenville, there is a substantial healthcare system (think: Prisma Health and Bon Secours) but according to the US Census Bureau, 9.8% of the population does not have healthcare coverage. Health insurance costs vary based on factors like age and plan, but it tends to cost between around $400 to $600 per month for an individual plan.

How much do transportation and gas cost?

Most folks in Greenville get around by car, and drivers will likely pay $3.18 per gallon of gas. If you’re taking the bus, you’ll be riding Greenlink. Plan to pay $1.50 per ride, $5 for an all-day pass, or $12.50 for a week-long pass.

It's worth noting that our walk score is 43, in case that’s how you prefer to get around. Might we recommend a stroll on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail?

A local perspective on the cost of living in Greenville

Weigh in on how much it costs to live here.