Pelzer is a small town of 1,480 in South Carolina, with a median household income of $51,193
and a 12.4% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Pelzer stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Pelzer is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Pelzer city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.8
Pelzer's overall cost of living index is 92.8,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Pelzer costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Pelzer, SC
National Avg
Median Home Value
$151,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,014
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
73.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$51,193
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Near National Average
Pelzer's violent crime rate is 459.1 per 100,000 residents
— 21% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
459.1 /100k
Property Crime
2951.7 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Pelzer is served primarily by Greenville 01.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Pelzer, SC
National Avg
School District
Greenville 01
—
Elementary Schools
51
—
Middle Schools
19
—
High Schools
20
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
23.3%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
80.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Pelzer sees average highs of 52.4°F in January
and 90.4°F in July,
with 48.0 inches of annual precipitation
and 1.4 inches of snow per year.
Pelzer's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Pelzer roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $151,700 and median rent is $1,014/month.
Pelzer's violent crime rate is 459.1 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2951.7 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Pelzer are operated by Greenville 01.
The district has 51 elementary, 19 middle, and 20 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. 23.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Pelzer, SC has a population of 1,480, a median household income of $51,193, and an unemployment rate of 12.4%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Pelzer averages 52.4°F in January and 90.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 48.0 inches
with about 1.4 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Pelzer, South Carolina is 1,480 with a median age of 43.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Pelzer: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $151,700, median household income $51,193, crime index 129 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Pelzer side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
