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City Report · SC

Central

Pop. 5,320·58th most expensive in South Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,342/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-0.9%
vs US Median
-$623
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Central · $1,342
More affordable than 85% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
27% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,342/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$54,000/yr
Local median income
$60,258/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Central's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$930
1 BR
$970
2 BR
$1,090
3 BR
$1,350
4 BR+
$1,620
Research median
$1,090/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
$16,104/yr
At $1,342/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 (+0.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Central, SC is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 56.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
5,320
Median income
$60,258
Median age
24
Renters
73.6%
Age distribution
22%
49.7%
18%
Under 1822%
18–3449.7%
35–5418%
55–643%
65+7.3%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
63.1%
White63.1%
Black10.7%
Hispanic6.2%
Asian8.9%
Other11.1%
Education (25+)
17.9%
19.3%
56.1%
No HS diploma6.7%
HS diploma17.9%
Some college19.3%
Bachelor's+56.1%
Housing tenure
26.4%
73.6%
Owner26.4%
Renter73.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Central, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$36,596 → $60,258
up 64.7%
Population
5,229 → 5,320
up 1.7%
Renter share
82.2% → 73.6%
-8.6 pts
Bachelor's+
45.8% → 56.1%
+10.3 pts

Census figures show median household income at $60,258 today, compared with $36,596 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 5,229 to 5,320 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.7% change. About 73.6% of households rent today, against 82.2% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 45.8% to 56.1%.

Community

Discussions about Central

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View Central rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Central on your salary?

At $1,342/mo, how Central rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Central rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Central

About renting in Central, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Central is $1,342/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $930/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,090/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $970/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,350/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,258/yr), Central ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Central an affordable city for renters?

Central is considered affordable for renters. At $1,342/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($60,258/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Central falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Central?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $54,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,342/mo in Central. The local median household income is $60,258/yr, meaning the typical Central household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Central?

Rent in Central has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

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

Central is one of the more affordable cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #58 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,342/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Central?

Anderson is nearby and more affordable at $1,264/mo, which is $78 less than Central.

What percentage of Central residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 73.6% of Central households are renters, while 26.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Central has a strong rental market.

How does Central rent compare to the national average?

Central's median rent of $1,342/mo is $623 (32%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #58 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,342/mo, rent takes ~27% of Central's median household income ($60,258/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Central 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Central affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Central
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Central, SC

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