Cost of Living in Piedmont, SC
Population 5,786 · South Carolina · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Piedmont sits on the smaller end of the South Carolina city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. At 11.1%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.
Located 75 miles northeast of Athens-Clarke County, Piedmont is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 48% lower than Athens-Clarke County's $272,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Piedmont
The median home value in Piedmont is $141,200 — 54% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $844/month, 36% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,896/year is 30% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 11.1%, 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 73.1°F and lows of 53.4°F. Overall, Piedmont has a cost of living index of 53 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 47% less expensive.
Piedmont has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 54 | 58 | 65 | 75 | 81 | 88 | 91 | 89 | 84 | 74 | 64 | 56 |
| Low °F | 35 | 38 | 44 | 52 | 61 | 68 | 72 | 71 | 65 | 54 | 44 | 37 |
| Precip" | 4.00 | 3.71 | 4.25 | 3.63 | 3.86 | 3.86 | 5.16 | 4.00 | 3.45 | 3.23 | 3.60 | 4.29 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Piedmont, SC?
Piedmont has a cost index of 53 (100 = national average). It is 47% below the national average.
What is average rent in Piedmont, SC?
The median gross rent in Piedmont is $844 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Piedmont?
The median home value in Piedmont is $141,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Piedmont?
The median household income in Piedmont is $51,896 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Piedmont, SC?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Piedmont is 7.5%. The South Carolina state income tax top rate is 6.4%.
Is Piedmont, SC affordable?
Yes, Piedmont is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 53 — about 47% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Piedmont?
Piedmont has average high temperatures of 73.1°F and average lows of 53.4°F. Annual precipitation is 47". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Piedmont at a Glance
- Population
- 5,786
- Median Income
- $51,896
- Home Value
- $141,200
- Median Rent
- $844/mo
- Unemployment
- 11.1%
- Avg High Temp
- 73.1°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.5%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
South Carolina Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs