Greenville, SC vs Summerville, SC

Summerville is moderately more affordable than Greenville, with a 5% lower cost of living index. Greenville scores 108 compared to 103 for Summerville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Greenville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Greenville is $1,248/month compared to $1,414/month in Summerville — a 12% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Greenville has cheaper rent, Summerville actually has lower median home values ($295,700 vs $453,300).

Median household income in Greenville is $68,460 compared to $78,621 in Summerville (-12.9%). Summerville offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Greenville spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, more than the 21.6% in Summerville.

Climate-wise, Summerville is notably warmer with an average of 66.5°F compared to 63.3°F in Greenville. Summerville receives more rainfall at 52.5" per year compared to 47" in Greenville.