Cost of Living in Belton, SC

Population 4,405 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023

50
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $48,164, median household incomes in Belton land roughly 35% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. At 7.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Located 65 miles northeast of Athens-Clarke County, Belton is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 57% lower than Athens-Clarke County's $272,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 38
Rent 68

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Belton

The median home value in Belton is $116,300 — 62% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $896/month, 32% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $48,164/year is 35% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.2%, above the national average of 4.8%. South Carolina's top state income tax rate is 6.4% and the combined sales tax is 7.5%. The climate averages highs of 72.5°F and lows of 51.3°F. Overall, Belton has a cost of living index of 50 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 50% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$116,300
62% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$254,672
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$896/mo
32% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
10.8x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$807
1 BR
$841
2 BR
$1,028
3 BR
$1,294
4 BR
$1,567
Owner-occupied 61.4%
Renter-occupied 38.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$896
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,510/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.3 min
16% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
0.5%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
86.8%
Carpooled
12.0%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
0.5%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 6.4%
Total Sales Tax 7.5%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 1.5%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$48,164
35% below avg
Per Capita Income
$33,601
Unemployment Rate
7.2%
50% above avg
Poverty Rate
19.2%
Labor Force Participation
66.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 9.7%
Graduate degree 5.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.4
Male median age 29.7
Female median age 39.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.5°F
Avg Low
51.3°F
Annual Precip
46.3"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 535765738187908983736355
Low °F 333642495867707063514136
Precip" 4.093.884.323.593.744.183.763.903.743.123.604.42

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 42 — Good
86.3%
Good air days/yr
97
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
270
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Belton, SC?

Belton has a cost index of 50 (100 = national average). It is 50% below the national average.

What is average rent in Belton, SC?

The median gross rent in Belton is $896 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Belton?

The median home value in Belton is $116,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Belton?

The median household income in Belton is $48,164 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Belton, SC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Belton is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.

Is Belton, SC affordable?

Yes, Belton is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 50 — about 50% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Belton?

Belton has average high temperatures of 72.5°F and average lows of 51.3°F. Annual precipitation is 46.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Belton at a Glance

Population
4,405
Median Income
$48,164
Home Value
$116,300
Median Rent
$896/mo
Unemployment
7.2%
Avg High Temp
72.5°F
Sales Tax
7.5%
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🗺️ County data for South Carolina

Explore county-level cost of living data

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