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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Bluffton, SC is $2,233. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Bluffton cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

Bluffton is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina, ranking #6 out of 67 cities tracked at $2,233/mo.

When was Bluffton rent data last updated?

Bluffton 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

Bluffton

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

Pop. 33,157·6th most expensive in South Carolina·Bluffton rents are up 5.9% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,233/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.9%

Month-over-Month

-3.4%

vs US Median

+$268

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Bluffton · $2,233

More expensive than 70% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

75/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 13% below what Bluffton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,233/mo

Expected by trend

$2,554/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$2,010

1 BR

$2,085

2 BR

$2,310

3 BR

$2,805

4 BR+

$3,555

Research median

$2,310/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$26,796/yr

At $2,233/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.9% YoY, -3.4% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Bluffton, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 51.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

33,157

Median income

$111,281

Median age

42.7

Renters

16.6%

Age distribution

22.7%

14.5%

27.3%

24.6%

Under 1822.7%

18–3414.5%

35–5427.3%

55–6410.9%

65+24.6%

Gender

49.4%

50.6%

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

Race & ethnicity

76.4%

White76.4%

Black9.1%

Hispanic10.5%

Asian1.4%

Other2.6%

Education (25+)

13.5%

31.4%

51.9%

No HS diploma3.2%

HS diploma13.5%

Some college31.4%

Bachelor's+51.9%

Housing tenure

83.4%

16.6%

Owner83.4%

Renter16.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Bluffton, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,590 → $2,233

up 40.4%

Income

$89,245 → $111,281

up 24.7%

Population

27,596 → 33,157

up 20.2%

Renter share

18.6% → 16.6%

-2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

47% → 51.9%

+4.9 pts

Median age

38.9 → 42.7

+3.8 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Bluffton, SC has climbed from $1,590 to $2,233, a 40.4% change over five years. Median household income rose from $89,245 to $111,281 between 2021 and 2024, a 24.7% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 20.2% since 2021, moving from about 27,596 residents to roughly 33,157. Renters now make up 16.6% of households, compared with 18.6% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 51.9% of adults here, versus 47% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Bluffton, 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 Bluffton

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View Bluffton rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Bluffton on your salary?

At $2,233/mo, how Bluffton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 32.2% income

stretched

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 45.4% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 39.4% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 22% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 48.5% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 53.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 43.6% income

rent-burdened

By apartment size

Bluffton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Bluffton

About renting in Bluffton, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Bluffton is $2,233/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,010/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,310/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,085/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,805/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($111,281/yr), Bluffton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluffton an affordable city for renters?

Bluffton is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,233/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($111,281/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Bluffton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Bluffton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $89,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,233/mo in Bluffton. The local median household income is $111,281/yr, meaning the typical Bluffton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Bluffton?

Rent in Bluffton has increased 5.9% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Bluffton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Bluffton are 29910 ($2,168/mo), and 29909 ($2,607/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Bluffton is $2,233/mo.

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

Bluffton is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #6 out of 67 tracked cities at $2,233/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Bluffton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Bluffton ($2,233/mo): Hardeeville ($1,499/mo), Port Royal ($1,505/mo), Port Wentworth ($1,793/mo).

What percentage of Bluffton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.6% of Bluffton households are renters, while 83.4% are owner-occupied. Bluffton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Bluffton rent compare to the national average?

Bluffton's median rent of $2,233/mo is $268 (14%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #6 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

24%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,233/mo, rent takes ~24% of Bluffton's median household income ($111,281/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Bluffton 24%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the Bluffton affordability calculator →

Nearby cities