Cost of Living in Clarendon County, South Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Clarendon County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Clarendon County ranks #2,320 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 26%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Clarendon County, South Carolina
Clarendon leads South Carolina in housing relief
Clarendon County renters spend just 17.9% of income on housing—a full 2.2 percentage points below the national average of 20.1%. At $728 monthly rent paired with a median income of $48,887, Clarendon stands as the region's most housing-secure market.
Best rent-to-income ratio in South Carolina
Clarendon's 17.9% housing burden beats South Carolina's 20.1% average by a significant margin, ranking it the state's most affordable county by this metric. Its $728 rent is the second-lowest among all surveyed counties, delivering exceptional value across the board.
Clarendon beats nearby counties on burden metric
Clarendon's 17.9% rent-to-income ratio outpaces Cherokee (19.9%), Chesterfield (19.6%), Calhoun (21.0%), and Chester (21.5%), making it the region's affordability champion. While Chesterfield offers lower absolute rents at $776, Clarendon's superior ratio reflects better income-to-cost alignment.
Renters enjoy exceptional housing-to-income fit
Clarendon renters spend $728 monthly on housing from a median income of $48,887—yielding a lean 17.9% housing burden well below the 30% comfort threshold. Homeowners pay $584 monthly, representing just 14.3% of income, offering strong tenure balance for both renting and owning households.
Clarendon offers South Carolina's best value ratio
If you want the lowest housing burden relative to income, Clarendon's 17.9% ratio is unbeatable in the state. Consider Clarendon versus Chesterfield: while Chesterfield's rents are slightly lower, Clarendon's superior income-to-cost alignment may offer better long-term security.
Cost of Living Advisory: Clarendon County
Affordability Verdict
For renters in Clarendon County, the market is affordable. Expect to pay around $728/month in gross rent, with 32.0% of renter households considered cost-burdened.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Clarendon County pay $728/month on average, compared to $584/month for homeowners. This market favors buyers by about 20%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $29,120/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $25,029/year. With a median household income of $48,887, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 32.0% of renter households in Clarendon County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Clarendon County sits 9% more expensive than McCormick County ($666/month) in terms of median gross rent.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Clarendon County
Rent Burden
17.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,141
per month
Owner Cost Burden
14.3%
of gross income
The median home in Clarendon County may be a stretch
Median home value is $147,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,176 vs. your max of $1,141.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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