Greenville, SC vs Sumter, SC

The cost of living difference between Greenville, SC and Sumter, SC is dramatic. Sumter is 38.2% cheaper than Greenville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Greenville has a cost index of 108 while Sumter sits at 78, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Greenville is $1,248/month compared to $1,055/month in Sumter — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Sumter is more affordable at $188,400 median vs $453,300.

Median household income in Greenville is $68,460 compared to $53,071 in Sumter (+29%). The higher salaries in Greenville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Greenville spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 23.9% in Sumter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.3°F vs 65.5°F). Greenville receives more rainfall at 47" per year compared to 43.7" in Sumter.