Cost of Living in Sumter, SC
Sumter, SC — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Sumter, SC to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Sumter, SC vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.0 | −12.0% |
| Housing | 60.8 | −39.2% |
| Goods | 96.3 | −3.7% |
| Utilities | 87.3 | −12.7% |
| Other services | 98.3 | −1.7% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Sumter, SC
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $880 | $35,200/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $972 | $38,880/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,276 | $51,040/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,530 | $61,200/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,871 | $74,840/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Sumter, SC
- Federal income tax$2,967
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,659
- Medicare (1.45%)$622
- South Carolina income tax$1,416
- Take-home pay$35,226
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Sumter, SC
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,260 | $65,495 | $74,410 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $57,650 | $46,200 | $52,488 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $47,340 | $38,534 | $43,779 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $46,500 | $37,910 | $43,070 |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,100 | $32,408 | $36,819 |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $39,040 | $32,363 | $36,768 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,090 | $30,170 | $34,276 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,860 | $29,999 | $34,082 |
| Office Clerks, General | $35,260 | $29,553 | $33,575 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $30,990 | $26,378 | $29,968 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $30,640 | $26,118 | $29,673 |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,720 | $24,690 | $28,051 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $28,030 | $24,168 | $27,457 |
| Cashier | $26,710 | $23,160 | $26,312 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $24,510 | $21,418 | $24,334 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $17,440 | $15,808 | $17,960 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sumter, SC expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Sumter, SC metro area are 88.0% of the U.S. average, with housing at 60.8%. It is the #335 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Sumter, SC?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $52,812 in Sumter, SC (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $42,890.
How much is rent in Sumter, SC?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Sumter, SC are $880 for a studio, $972 for one bedroom, $1,276 for two bedrooms and $1,530 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Sumter, SC
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $86,260
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $35,860
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $28,030
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $24,510
- Waiter and Waitress — $17,440
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $28,720
- Cashier — $26,710
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Customer Service Representative — $39,100
- Office Clerks, General — $35,260
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $47,340
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $39,040
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $46,500
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $36,090
- Stocker and Order Filler — $30,990