How much does it cost to rent in Aiken, SC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Aiken, SC is $1,438. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Aiken cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

Aiken is among the more affordable cities in South Carolina, ranking #54 out of 67 cities at $1,438/mo.

When was Aiken rent data last updated?

Aiken rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · SC

Aiken

Name: Average Rent Prices in Aiken, SC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 32,521·54th most expensive in South Carolina·Aiken rents are up 10.9% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,438/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.9%

Month-over-Month

+0.9%

vs US Median

-$527

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Aiken rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Aiken · $1,438

More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

41/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Aiken's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,438/mo

Expected by trend

$1,378/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Aiken's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$885

1 BR

$1,060

2 BR

$1,200

3 BR

$1,575

4 BR+

$1,930

Research median

$1,200/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$17,256/yr

At $1,438/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.9% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Aiken, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 47.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,521

Median income

$76,746

Median age

46.6

Renters

31.9%

Age distribution

17.3%

21.4%

19.9%

12.4%

29.1%

Under 1817.3%

18–3421.4%

35–5419.9%

55–6412.4%

65+29.1%

Gender

44.9%

55.1%

Male44.9%

Female55.1%

Race & ethnicity

59.9%

30.5%

White59.9%

Black30.5%

Hispanic4.7%

Asian1.8%

Other3.1%

Education (25+)

22%

24.5%

47.7%

No HS diploma5.7%

HS diploma22%

Some college24.5%

Bachelor's+47.7%

Housing tenure

68.1%

31.9%

Owner68.1%

Renter31.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Aiken, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,152 → $1,438

up 24.8%

Income

$58,125 → $76,746

up 32.0%

Population

31,516 → 32,521

up 3.2%

Renter share

32.6% → 31.9%

-0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

41.3% → 47.7%

+6.4 pts

Five years ago, renters in Aiken, SC paid around $1,152 a month. That figure now sits near $1,438, up 24.8% from the 2022 baseline. Median household income climbed from $58,125 to $76,746 between 2021 and 2024, a 32.0% shift. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. Census counts show Aiken, SC adding about 1,005 residents over the five-year window, up 3.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 41.3% to 47.7% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Aiken, SC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Aiken

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Aiken rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Aiken on your salary?

At $1,438/mo, how Aiken rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 20.8% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 29.2% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 25.4% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 14.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 11.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 31.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 34.6% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

By apartment size

Aiken rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Aiken. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Aiken

About renting in Aiken, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Aiken is $1,438/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $885/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,060/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,575/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($76,746/yr), Aiken ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Aiken an affordable city for renters?

Aiken is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,438/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($76,746/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Aiken falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Aiken?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,438/mo in Aiken. The local median household income is $76,746/yr, meaning the typical Aiken household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Aiken?

Rent in Aiken has increased 10.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Aiken neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Aiken are 29803 ($1,350/mo), and 29801 ($1,776/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Aiken is $1,438/mo.

How does Aiken rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Aiken is one of the more affordable cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #54 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,438/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Aiken?

Augusta is nearby and more affordable at $1,392/mo, which is $46 less than Aiken.

What percentage of Aiken residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.9% of Aiken households are renters, while 68.1% are owner-occupied. Aiken leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Aiken rent compare to the national average?

Aiken's median rent of $1,438/mo is $527 (27%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #54 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,438/mo, rent takes ~22% of Aiken's median household income ($76,746/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Aiken 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the Aiken affordability calculator →

Nearby cities