Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Pickens County, South Carolina
Pickens County has a HUD fair market rent of $1,507 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $972 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $28.98 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,507
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 8% more than in South Carolina
- Typical rent
- $972
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 18% less than in South Carolina
- Wage needed
- $28.98
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $60,280 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 56%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 7% more than in South Carolina
Only here
Renting in Pickens County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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Among the neighboring counties, Abbeville County has the lowest typical rent ($799), 18% below the $972 in Pickens County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Pickens County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
According to Zillow (ZORI), the typical asking rent in Pickens County was $1,477 a month in September 2026: 3.5% more than 12 months ago. It is an index of market listings, not a HUD limit. Zillow data
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,329 | $25.56 | $53,160 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,384 | $26.62 | $55,360 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,507 | $28.98 | $60,280 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,801 | $34.63 | $72,040 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,124 | $40.85 | $84,960 |
HUD area: Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 13 ZIP codes in Pickens County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,210 in 29630 to $1,290 in 29631. No ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,507).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 29630 | Anderson, SC | $1,060 | $1,110 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29630 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,060 | $1,110 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29631 | Anderson, SC | $1,140 | $1,180 | $1,290 | $1,540 | $1,820 |
| 29631 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,140 | $1,180 | $1,290 | $1,540 | $1,820 |
| 29634 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29634 | Oconee County, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29640 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,120 | $1,170 | $1,270 | $1,520 | $1,790 |
| 29657 | Anderson, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29657 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29667 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29671 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29682 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
| 29685 | Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,210 | $1,460 | $1,750 |
- 29630 · Anderson, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29630 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29631 · Anderson, SC $1,290$1,540
- 29631 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,290$1,540
- 29634 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29634 · Oconee County, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29640 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,270$1,520
- 29657 · Anderson, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29657 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29667 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29671 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29682 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
- 29685 · Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC $1,210$1,460
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Pickens County, 56% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
56%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
15,255 households rent in Pickens County
- Spend half or more of their income 34%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 22%
- Spend less than 30% 44%
Compared with the state and the country
- Pickens 56%
- South Carolina 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Pickens County
HUD lists 20 properties with homes for low-income households in Pickens County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 11
- HUD-assisted
- 8
- public housing
- 1
1,087 homes in all; 1,004 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Creekside Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Pebble Brook Ct, Easley 29642 132 low-income homes · 2 bd: 66 · 3 bd: 66 · In service since 1997
- Westgate Apartments Public housing 101 Wallace Dr, Easley 29640 100 homes, 99 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of Easley · Average payment: $399 a month · Average wait: 25 months · (864) 855-0629
- Pickens Gardens HUD-assisted 102 Garden Dr, Pickens 29671 77 homes, 76 low-income · For families · (864) 878-2344
- Creekwood Village, ALP HUD-assisted 201 West Ln, Clemson 29631 76 low-income homes · For families · (864) 654-3385
- Crestview Village Apts., Associates HUD-assisted 908 Crestview Rd, Easley 29642 76 low-income homes · For older adults · (864) 859-2751
- Park West Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 300 Duvall St, Easley 29640 60 low-income homes · 2 bd: 44 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2003 · For families
- Pope Field Terrace Tax credit (LIHTC) 110 Pope Field Ter DR, Easley 29640 56 homes, 55 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 28 · 3 bd: 16 · In service since 2013 · For families
- Ridge Crest Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 743 Issaqueena Trl, Central 29630 46 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 34 · In service since 2010
- Forest View Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 Forest View Cir, Liberty 29657 44 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 32 · In service since 2010
- Companion at Walnut Hill Tax credit (LIHTC) 201 Walnut Hill Dr, Easley 29642 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2008 · For older adults
- Easley Hsg. For The Elderly, ALP HUD-assisted 207 E 2nd Ave, Easley 29640 40 low-income homes · For older adults · (864) 859-3302
- Peachtree Senior Village Tax credit (LIHTC) 120 N Peachtree St, Liberty 29657 40 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 36 · In service since 2017 · For older adults
- Cedar Brook Townhomes Tax credit (LIHTC) 101 Cedar Brook Cir, Easley 29640 39 low-income homes · 2 bd: 4 · 3 bd: 31 · 4 bd: 4 · In service since 2013 · For families
- Jays Place HUD-assisted 119 Louns Dr, Easley 29640 38 low-income homes · For older adults · (864) 859-6881
- Aberdeen Chase Tax credit (LIHTC) 100 Aberdeen Chase Dr, Easley 29640 27 low-income homes · 2 bd: 15 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2015 · For families
- American Legion-Senior Apts., Inc. HUD-assisted 118 Legion St, Easley 29642 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (864) 306-0960
- Pickens Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 209 India Dr, Pickens 29671 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 5 · 2 bd: 7 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2010
- Ridgeview Apts II Tax credit (LIHTC) 117 Ridgeview Dr, Pickens 29671 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 16 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 2010
- Sixty-Two Plaza Central, Inc. HUD-assisted 105 Plaza Ct, Central 29630 24 low-income homes · For older adults · (864) 639-2044
- Hunters Glen, Alp HUD-assisted 854 Issaqueena Trl, Central 29630 100 homes, 20 low-income · For families · (864) 654-0058
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Pickens County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Pickens County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
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You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
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Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
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Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $22,350 | $37,200 | $59,550 |
| 2 people | $25,550 | $42,550 | $68,050 |
| 3 people | $28,750 | $47,850 | $76,550 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $53,150 | $85,050 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $57,450 | $91,900 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $61,700 | $98,700 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $65,950 | $105,500 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $70,200 | $112,300 |
Area median income: $106,400. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, SC HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $1,196 – $1,462
- 1 bedroom $1,246 – $1,522
- 2 bedrooms $1,356 – $1,658
- 3 bedrooms $1,621 – $1,981
- 4 bedrooms $1,912 – $2,336
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Housing Authority of Easley Public housing · 99 public housing units (864) 855-0629 Housing Authority of Easley: blaney@easleyhousing.org
Housing agencies in South Carolina Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in South Carolina
What South Carolina law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-410(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-710(B)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-770(b)
- Only a court order can remove youS.C. Code §27-40-660
- Protection from retaliationS.C. Code §27-40-910(a)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Pickens County
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Greenville County Human Relations Commission
301 University Rdg, Greenville · 18 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 8 more
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Telamon Corporation - Greenville Branch
300A S Daniel Morgan Ave, Spartanburg · 45 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 7 more
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Regenesis Community Development Corporation F/K/A Upstate Housing Partnership
430 E Main St, Spartanburg · 46 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 8 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Pickens County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in South Carolina, the average home bill was $150 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$3,014
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,507
- Security deposit
- $1,507
- Total
- $3,014
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Pickens County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $1,329; 1 bedroom: $1,384; 2 bedrooms: $1,507; 3 bedrooms: $1,801; 4 bedrooms: $2,124. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Pickens County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,507) without spending more than 30% of income takes $28.98 an hour full time, or $60,280 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Pickens County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $53,150 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Pickens County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $1,356 and $1,658 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Pickens County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,210 in 29630 to $1,290 in 29631. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Pickens County?
HUD lists 20 properties with homes for low-income households in Pickens County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Pickens County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Pickens County, 56% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).