1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Charleston, SC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Charleston, South Carolina as of July 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $2,245 and +38% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Charleston
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Charleston
Compare Charleston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camden | $750 |
| 2 | Gaffney | $750 |
| 3 | Newberry | $780 |
| 4 | Greenwood | $785 |
| 5 | Anderson | $818 |
| 6 | Hartsville | $820 |
| 7 | Dalzell | $880 |
| 8 | Seneca | $880 |
| 9 | Orangeburg | $890 |
| 10 | Florence | $913 |
| 11 | Lancaster | $940 |
| 12 | North Augusta | $940 |
| 13 | Central | $970 |
| 14 | Pendleton | $970 |
| 15 | Piedmont | $970 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Pleasant | $2,265 |
| 2 | Bluffton | $2,085 |
| 3 | Charleston (this page) | $1,919 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $1,770 |
| 5 | Fort Mill | $1,677 |
| 6 | Ladson | $1,640 |
| 7 | Chapin | $1,620 |
| 8 | Summerville | $1,577 |
| 9 | Beaufort | $1,573 |
| 10 | Irmo | $1,560 |
| 11 | Goose Creek | $1,550 |
| 12 | Port Royal | $1,540 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $1,540 |
| 14 | Clover | $1,540 |
| 15 | Simpsonville | $1,505 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Charleston.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC | 10.2 mi | $1,488 | $-431 (-22%) |
| Hanahan, SC | 10.6 mi | $1,540 | $-379 (-20%) |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 11.7 mi | $2,265 | +$346 (+18%) |
| Goose Creek, SC | 15 mi | $1,550 | $-369 (-19%) |
| Ladson, SC | 17 mi | $1,640 | $-279 (-15%) |
| Summerville, SC | 20 mi | $1,577 | $-342 (-18%) |
| Moncks Corner, SC | 26.3 mi | $1,330 | $-589 (-31%) |
| Beaufort, SC | 54.2 mi | $1,573 | $-346 (-18%) |
| Port Royal, SC | 56.3 mi | $1,540 | $-379 (-20%) |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 66.3 mi | $1,770 | $-149 (-8%) |
| Bluffton, SC | 70.5 mi | $2,085 | +$166 (+9%) |
| Pawleys Island, SC | 77.5 mi | $1,150 | $-769 (-40%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Charleston — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Charleston?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Charleston, South Carolina is $1,919 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $2,245.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Charleston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $76,760 ($6,397/month gross), which works out to roughly $36.90/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charleston expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Charleston's 1-bedroom median of $1,919 is +38% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 80th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charleston rank for 1-bedroom rent in South Carolina?
Among the 67 cities in South Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Charleston ranks #65 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Charleston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include North Charleston ($1,488), Hanahan ($1,540), Goose Creek ($1,550).