3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Charleston, SC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Charleston, South Carolina as of August 2026. That's +15% higher than the citywide median of $2,293 and +23% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forest Acres | $1,101 |
| 2 | Camden | $1,130 |
| 3 | Greenwood | $1,200 |
| 4 | Gaffney | $1,220 |
| 5 | Newberry | $1,230 |
| 6 | Anderson | $1,243 |
| 7 | Hartsville | $1,270 |
| 8 | Orangeburg | $1,280 |
| 9 | Seneca | $1,310 |
| 10 | Central | $1,350 |
| 11 | Piedmont | $1,350 |
| 12 | Pendleton | $1,360 |
| 13 | Travelers Rest | $1,360 |
| 14 | Dalzell | $1,380 |
| 15 | Easley | $1,380 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in South Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Pleasant | $3,110 |
| 2 | Bluffton | $2,805 |
| 3 | Charleston (this page) | $2,630 |
| 4 | Fort Mill | $2,370 |
| 5 | Hilton Head Island | $2,360 |
| 6 | Chapin | $2,290 |
| 7 | Ladson | $2,250 |
| 8 | Irmo | $2,210 |
| 9 | Summerville | $2,160 |
| 10 | Goose Creek | $2,130 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $2,120 |
| 12 | Clover | $2,110 |
| 13 | Beaufort | $2,103 |
| 14 | Port Royal | $2,050 |
| 15 | Simpsonville | $2,040 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Charleston.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston, SC | 10.2 mi | $2,040 | $-590 (-22%) |
| Hanahan, SC | 10.6 mi | $2,120 | $-510 (-19%) |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 11.7 mi | $3,110 | +$480 (+18%) |
| Goose Creek, SC | 15 mi | $2,130 | $-500 (-19%) |
| Ladson, SC | 17 mi | $2,250 | $-380 (-14%) |
| Summerville, SC | 20 mi | $2,160 | $-470 (-18%) |
| Moncks Corner, SC | 26.3 mi | $1,820 | $-810 (-31%) |
| Beaufort, SC | 54.2 mi | $2,103 | $-527 (-20%) |
| Port Royal, SC | 56.3 mi | $2,050 | $-580 (-22%) |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 66.3 mi | $2,360 | $-270 (-10%) |
| Bluffton, SC | 70.5 mi | $2,805 | +$175 (+7%) |
| Pawleys Island, SC | 77.5 mi | $1,820 | $-810 (-31%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Charleston — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Charleston?
As of August 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Charleston, South Carolina is $2,630 per month. This is +15% higher than the citywide median of $2,293.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Charleston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $105,200 ($8,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $50.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Charleston expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Charleston's 3-bedroom median of $2,630 is +23% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 70th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Charleston rank for 3-bedroom rent in South Carolina?
Among the 67 cities in South Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Charleston ranks #65 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Charleston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include North Charleston ($2,040), Hanahan ($2,120), Goose Creek ($2,130).