Cost of Living in Greenville, NC 2022

Greenville is an up-and-coming city known for its flawless blend of laid-back rural feel and urban excitement. As part of the south, you’ll feel immediate hospitality in this city filled with so much history. Being located right along the 200-mile long Tar River means that there is plenty to do in the city of Greenville and some great outdoors to explore.

Greenville used to be one of the nation’s cotton production leaders. Today, however, the city is more commonly recognized as a medical hub for Eastern North Carolina, booming with economic, educational, and cultural life.

Whether you’re looking to move to Greenville to take advantage of the relatively low cost of living, the southern hospitality, or a combination of both, you need an idea of what your costs will look like. Let’s look at the cost of living in Greenville to understand better how much you need to live there.

Greenville Housing Costs

Before you settle into Greenville, learn more about the average rent prices. According to our Rent Report, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Greenville is $722. If you need more space or are living with a roommate, a two-bedroom apartment will cost $950.

Like most cities, the rents in Greenville are rising. Rents increased sharply by 14.4% in comparison to the same time last year. Greenville's year-over-year rent growth lags behind the state average of 19.8% and the national average of 17.1%.

All major cities across North Carolina have seen significant growth in rent prices over the last year. Some of the most popular North Carolina cities include Asheville, Cary, and Raleigh. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in these cities is $1,739, $1,677, and $1,558, respectively. Known for its low cost of living, Greenville falls well below all major North Carolina cities in terms of average rent prices.

Greenville Transportation

Greenville’s official public transportation operator is the Greenville Area Transit (GREAT). The bus runs Monday through Friday from 7:25 AM to 5:15 PM, with no service currently being offered on the weekends or federal holidays.

Public transportation in Greenville is not the most dependable, so you will most likely need to account for having a vehicle of your own.

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $4,758for transportation in Greenville annually. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $12,965 for transportation annually. Gasoline prices are around $3.13 per gallon, significantly lower than the national average of $3.64.

Greenville Food Costs

Greenville offers countless must-eat dining options, with a handful of authentic food items, including Devil’s Dust Eggs from Bacon Bros Public House, Sweet Potato Cake from Brick Street Cafe, and Sweet Potato Crunch from Bucky’s BBQ.

Eating at an inexpensive restaurant in Greenville costs an average of $12.50 for a meal. A three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant will run $50.00 without alcohol or dessert.

If you're a single adult without children, you can expect to pay at least $3,428 on food per year. However, a family of four with two working adults and two children should expect to pay $10,084 per year for food.

You can anticipate paying slightly below the national average for food items from local grocery stores like The Fresh Market, Publix, or Harris Teeter. For example, a carton of 12 eggs costs $1.69 in Greenville, , with the national average being $2.33.

Greenville Healthcare Costs

When planning your budget in Greenville, it’s important to account for proper medical care. A single adult without children will pay around $2,828 for medical care over the year. Two working adults with two children should expect to pay $8,713. Childcare for this family will cost an additional $17,652 per year.

Greenville Utilities

Winters in Greenville are cold and wet. The coldest days of the year fall in January with an average overnight temperature of 34°, while summers are hot and muggy. July is the hottest month with an average daytime high of 90°.

To combat the cold winters and hot, humid summers, you'll need to account for higher utilities year-round. Greenville’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $175.25 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment.

Adding on the Internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $61.00 for a total of $236.25 each month.

It’s a good idea to determine how much utilities will cost in an apartment before you move so you can get a better idea of what to expect and how to budget accordingly.

Greenville Fitness and Entertainment

With four very different seasons in Greenville, you’ll want to consider fitness club membership costs to keep fit throughout the year. The monthly fee for a fitness club membership for one adult is $41.25.

Otherwise, when weather permits, you can enjoy the beautiful Greenville landscape. Some favorite outdoor activities include paddling the Tar River or biking, running, or walking along the Greenville Greenway. Greenville’s other great walking and hiking paths can be found at Goose Creek State Park, River Park North, and Elm Street Park.

There is plenty of entertainment throughout the city that can be found indoors. For example, if you enjoy the local cinema, it will cost you $10.00 without snacks or drinks. You can save a few bucks by checking out Dream Park, with fun outdoor activities for all ages.

Other Expenses to Consider in Greenville

North Carolina has a flat income tax rate of 5.25% and a sales tax of 4.75%. In Greenville, the Pitt County sales tax rate adds another 2.25% to the state rate, making the total sales tax rate for the city even 7.00%.

Aside from taxes, anyone moving out of state to Greenville will need to consider costs associated with cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Additional apartment application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and other add-ons often accompany these types of moves.

Lastly, you can’t forget about furnishing your new home. To help you save a few bucks during your big move, you can check out some tips and tricks on decorating your apartment on a budget.

What Salary Do I Need to Live in Greenville?

Your recommended salary in Greenville depends entirely on the type of lifestyle you plan to lead. The living wage in Greenville is $15.14 per hour, which is the basic wage needed to pay for essentials like housing, food, and necessities. Keep in mind when calculating your budget that extra costs like dining and entertainment are not a part of the living wage.

The average salary index in Greenville is $42,612 per year, roughly $11,84 per hour.

You can also consider the 30% rule for rent to determine what salary you should be searching for in Greenville. If you plan to follow this rule, you should not be spending more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent.

According to the 30% rule, if your rent is close to the median for a one-bedroom apartment in Greenville at $722, your monthly wages should be at least $2,406 a month, or an annual salary of $28,880. This recommended salary is for a fundamental lifestyle while in Greenville.

Remember that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary for any city, including Greenville, are three very different things. You’ll need to anticipate needs regarding additional living costs, including dining, entertainment, etc. In doing so, you might find that you’ll need to search for a higher salary, a less expensive apartment, or in a perfect world, both.

Thankfully, the typical annual salaries for common professions in Greenville are highly competitive. The three highest typical annual salaries belong to Management, Legal, and Computer and Mathematical positions, respectively.

Job Market in Greenville

Beyond the relatively low cost of living in Greenville, the job market is also very healthy here. The unemployment rate in Greenville is lower than the national average of 3.8%, currently at 3.2%.

Greenville has deep roots in the textile industry and is still one of the top manufacturing cities in the southern U.S. Some of the major employers in the area include Proterra, Michelin North America Inc., and GE.

Although the textile industry remains strong in Greenville, healthcare has become predominant. The largest employer of Greenville is the Greenville Health System.

Final Thoughts

If you are interested in moving to Greenville, a city full of festivals, museums, and art galleries, you’ll need to find which Greenville neighborhood is best for you and learn how to apartment hunt. Then, register with Apartment List today and start checking out the hundreds of available apartments to rent in Greenville!

FAQs: Cost of Living in Greenville in 2022:

How expensive is an apartment in Greenville?

Greenville rents are climbing. A one-bedroom apartment in Greenville costs $1,091. If you need more room, a two-bedroom apartment in Greenville costs $1,288.

What is the cheapest rent in Greenville?

Currently, the cheapest rent in Greenville is for a one-bedroom apartment. You can expect to pay an average of $1,091 in rent.

How expensive is it to live in Greenville?

Greenville rent averages out to $1,091 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Food costs about $3,351 a year in Greenville. However, a family of four with two working adults and two children should expect to pay $7,417 per year for food. It costs $5,509 for transportation in Greenville annually.

What is the population of Greenville?

According to the US Census Bureau, the population in Greenville was 87,521 in 2020. The entire population of the state of North Carolina is 10,439,388.

What is a good salary in Greenville?

The Census Bureau reports that the average salary for Greenville residents is $47,000. However, to stick to the rule of spending only 30% on your monthly income on rent, you only need an income of $43,630 to live comfortably in a one-bedroom apartment.