Cost of Living in Lee 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 Lee County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Lee County ranks #564 of 3,142 counties for affordability (top 18%)
Sourced county brief
Lee County Median Monthly Owner Costs Estimated at $494
Median selected monthly owner costs in Lee County were $494, a figure that is $297 below the South Carolina unweighted county mean of $791. The median gross rent was estimated at $823 per month, which is lower than the state unweighted county mean of $985. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 31.1%, or 0.6 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean of 30.5%. The median home value in the county was $104,600, while the state unweighted county mean was $199,733. Renter-household median income was reported at $26,934. These data points are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates, using tables B25064, B25071, B25077, B25088, and B25119. 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: Lee County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.1% of renter household income in Lee 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 $823 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $494. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $32,920 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. Lee County's $823 median is 16.4% below that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Lee County
Rent Burden
22.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,044
per month
Owner Cost Burden
13.2%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Lee County
Median home value is $104,600. Estimated monthly cost: $835 vs. your max of $1,044.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Lee County, South Carolina?
What is the median rent in Lee County?
Is Lee County affordable?
How does Lee County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Lee County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Lee County, South Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Lee County
Whether you're buying in Lee County, South Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.