RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · SC

Charleston

Pop. 154,338·4th most expensive in South Carolina·Charleston rents are up 10.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,293/mo
Year-over-Year
+10.2%
Month-over-Month
+2.1%
vs US Median
+$331
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Charleston rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Charleston · $2,293
More expensive than 72% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
50/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Charleston's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$2,293/mo
Expected by trend
$2,294/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Charleston's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,844
1 BR
$1,919
2 BR
$2,123
3 BR
$2,630
4 BR+
$3,096
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,123/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,293 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$27,516/yr
At $2,293/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 10.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+10.2% YoY, +2.1% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Charleston, SC is majority owner-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 58.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
154,338
Median income
$92,414
Median age
36.6
Renters
44.4%
Age distribution
17.3%
30.1%
24.7%
16.4%
Under 1817.3%
18–3430.1%
35–5424.7%
55–6411.4%
65+16.4%
Gender
47.7%
52.3%
Male47.7%
Female52.3%
Race & ethnicity
73.7%
15.8%
White73.7%
Black15.8%
Hispanic6.1%
Asian1.9%
Other2.5%
Education (25+)
15%
22.8%
58.3%
No HS diploma3.9%
HS diploma15%
Some college22.8%
Bachelor's+58.3%
Housing tenure
55.6%
44.4%
Owner55.6%
Renter44.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Charleston, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,521 → $2,293
up 50.8%
Income
$76,556 → $92,414
up 20.7%
Population
147,928 → 154,338
up 4.3%
Renter share
44% → 44.4%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
55.7% → 58.3%
+2.6 pts
Median age
35.5 → 36.6
+1.1 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Charleston, SC has shifted from $1,521 to $2,293, up 50.8% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $92,414 today, compared with $76,556 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Charleston, SC adding about 6,410 residents over the five-year window, up 4.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 55.7% to 58.3% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Charleston

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Charleston on your salary?

At $2,293/mo, how Charleston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Charleston rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Charleston

About renting in Charleston, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Charleston is $2,293/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,844/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,123/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,919/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,630/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($92,414/yr), Charleston ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Charleston an affordable city for renters?

Charleston is considered moderate for renters. At $2,293/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($92,414/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Charleston slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Charleston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $92,000/year (~$44/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,293/mo in Charleston. The local median household income is $92,414/yr, meaning the typical Charleston household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Charleston?

Rent in Charleston has increased 10.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Charleston neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Charleston are 29407 ($1,747/mo), 29414 ($1,903/mo), and 29492 ($2,188/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Charleston is $2,293/mo.

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

Charleston is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #4 out of 67 tracked cities at $2,293/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Charleston?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Charleston ($2,293/mo): Ladson ($1,686/mo), North Charleston ($1,742/mo), Hanahan ($1,745/mo).

What percentage of Charleston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.4% of Charleston households are renters, while 55.6% are owner-occupied. Charleston leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Charleston rent compare to the national average?

Charleston's median rent of $2,293/mo is $331 (17%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #4 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $2,293/mo, rent takes ~30% of Charleston's median household income ($92,414/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Charleston 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Charleston affordability calculator →
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Charleston, SC

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Charleston.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.

Add RentDataNow as a preferred source on Google