Greenville SC Cost of Living (It’s Super Cheap!)
Greenville, South Carolina, has plenty of fantastic features that draw in visitors and new residents alike. The cost of living in Greenville can vary depending on what you need.
But many cheap options make the area quite affordable to live in overall. If you’re looking to relocate to Greenville, SC, or just want to find out more about how much it costs to live there, this guide will walk you through all the basic costs of living there. You’ll also learn some great tips on saving money too!
Greenville Cost of Living vs SC and the US
While living in South Carolina can be a little more expensive than many other states around the country (the median home price is $299,900), living in Greenville is fairly affordable. According to Salary.com, living costs are 7.8% lower than the national average. In addition, rent for homes can range from $1,163-$1,499 per month, and an average apartment goes for about $1,267/month.
Utilities are also cheaper on average, with utilities for a 915 sq ft. apartment costing around $136.80 per month. Depending on your specific needs, you might find that even basic items like groceries cost significantly less in Greenville versus larger cities like Atlanta or New York City.
Finally, when looking at transportation costs, it’s important to know that there’s no direct public transit option. Despite that, Uber and Lyft work very well here. You should easily be able to get anywhere within 20 minutes or so while spending only around $10-20 depending on the time of day.
Parking might become difficult but there are lots of available spots downtown if you do need one. The surrounding counties also have bus routes making commuting via bus possible as well.
Greenville Housing Cost
In Greenville, SC., housing costs vary widely depending on where you want to live. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment downtown is $1,344/month. You’ll be shocked to know you can find a 2-bedroom apartment available for $700 a month. With that price, it’s no surprise Greenville is one of the five cheapest places to live in South Carolina.
As of this writing, Greenville, SC, is seeing a decrease in the number of listings by 5%. People are moving here fast, and real estate agents are expecting the housing market to boom. Buying a home here could be a very lucrative investment if you decide to sell in the future.
Greenville Grocery and Food Cost
One of Greenville’s greatest perks is that there are plenty of affordable grocery stores. It’s easy to stock up on a week’s worth of groceries at Food Lion or Ingles without breaking your bank account. Numbeo provides a listing of food prices in Greenville.
It should be noted that grocery prices are slightly higher compared to the average in South Carolina. Still, considering you’ll save a lot on renting, you should have plenty of funds available for groceries.
Budget Your Trip notes that travelers who dined out spent an average of $6.80 per person. They also note that the average cost of food in Greenville is 17$ per day.
Remember that it helps keep costs down if you buy fresh produce and cook them yourself. As always, fresh fruits and vegetables are usually cheaper than packaged goods full of preservatives.
Look up recipes online before going shopping, so you know exactly what ingredients to look for and how much they cost. Once you have everything in your cart, stick with one specific brand (ideally name-brand products over generic).
Having several kinds of each product adds variety but ultimately adds unnecessary cost. The same goes for any extras like butter, salt, and pepper. Try sticking with single varieties wherever possible to ensure you aren’t spending money on things you won’t use.
Greenville Healthcare Cost
The average cost of health care in South Carolina is $452 per person. Still, it is possible to find decent health care between $300 and $400 a month from my experience.
Greenville Transporation Cost
In a car-centric city like Greenville, transportation costs can be high at times. Gas prices in Greenville are slightly higher than the South Carolina average but still lower than the national average. Car insurance in Greenville, SC, averages about $1,500 a year.
If you decide to take advantage of the Greenville transit system, you can get unlimited rides for 10.50 a week. As mentioned earlier, Uber and Lyft rides are fairly inexpensive. But be mindful that in some locations further outside of the city, it may take longer to get a driver.
Final Thoughts
Overall, you’ll spend less living in Greenville, SC, than you would in other cities because of the lower cost of housing, utilities, and transportation. We hope that our data sheds some light on what it takes to live comfortably in the Greenville area.
Feel free to learn more about how Greenville, SC, is a good place to live. You can also take time to know more about what Greenville, SC, is known for.
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