Cost of Living in Darlington County, South Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Darlington County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Darlington County ranks #1,090 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 35%)
Sourced county brief
Darlington County Rent Burden Percent Exceeds State Average
In Darlington County, the official gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI), or rentBurdenGrapiPct, was 34.4%. This official B25071 figure is 3.9 percentage points above the South Carolina unweighted county mean of 30.5%. The median gross rent was estimated at $896 per month, while the unweighted county mean for the state was $985. The median renter-household income was $28,417. For owner-occupied housing, the median home value was $158,200, which is $41,533 below the unweighted county mean of $199,733. The median monthly owner cost was $628, compared to the unweighted county mean of $791. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Darlington County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 34.4% of renter household income in Darlington County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $896 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $628. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $35,840 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The South Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $985 per month. Darlington County's $896 median is 9.0% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Darlington County
Rent Burden
22.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,134
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.5%
of gross income
The median home in Darlington County may be a stretch
Median home value is $158,200. Estimated monthly cost: $1,263 vs. your max of $1,134.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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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 (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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