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City Report · SC

Clemson

Pop. 18,072·7th most expensive in South Carolina·Clemson rents are up 27.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,129/mo
Year-over-Year
+27.6%
Month-over-Month
-5.4%
vs US Median
+$164
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Clemson · $2,129
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
52% of income
EXPENSIVE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,129/mo, rent takes about 52% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$85,000/yr
Local median income
$49,520/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Clemson's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,100
1 BR
$1,150
2 BR
$1,270
3 BR
$1,550
4 BR+
$1,860
Research median
$1,270/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
$25,548/yr
At $2,129/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 27.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+27.6% YoY, -5.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Clemson, SC is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 59.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
18,072
Median income
$49,520
Median age
24.8
Renters
65.7%
Age distribution
53.6%
15.7%
13.3%
Under 1811.1%
18–3453.6%
35–5415.7%
55–646.2%
65+13.3%
Gender
55.1%
44.9%
Male55.1%
Female44.9%
Race & ethnicity
78.4%
White78.4%
Black8.1%
Hispanic3%
Asian5.3%
Other5.2%
Education (25+)
13.1%
22.7%
59.4%
No HS diploma4.8%
HS diploma13.1%
Some college22.7%
Bachelor's+59.4%
Housing tenure
34.3%
65.7%
Owner34.3%
Renter65.7%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Clemson, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$48,335 → $49,520
up 2.5%
Population
17,238 → 18,072
up 4.8%
Renter share
62.1% → 65.7%
+3.6 pts
Bachelor's+
61.5% → 59.4%
-2.1 pts

On the earnings side, the typical household in Clemson, SC now reports about $49,520, up from $48,335 in 2021. Census counts show Clemson, SC adding about 834 residents over the five-year window, up 4.8% on net. The renter share has risen from 62.1% to 65.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 61.5% to 59.4% across the same window.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Clemson on your salary?

At $2,129/mo, how Clemson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Clemson rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clemson

About renting in Clemson, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Clemson is $2,129/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,100/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,270/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,550/mo.

At 52% of local median household income ($49,520/yr), Clemson ranks as expensive compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 27.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clemson an affordable city for renters?

Clemson is considered expensive for renters. At $2,129/mo, rent takes approximately 52% of the local median household income ($49,520/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clemson significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Clemson?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $85,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,129/mo in Clemson. The local median household income is $49,520/yr, meaning the typical Clemson household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clemson?

Rent in Clemson has increased 27.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Clemson is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #7 out of 67 tracked cities at $2,129/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Clemson?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Clemson ($2,129/mo): Anderson ($1,264/mo), Central ($1,342/mo), Seneca ($1,493/mo).

What percentage of Clemson residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 65.7% of Clemson households are renters, while 34.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Clemson has a strong rental market.

How does Clemson rent compare to the national average?

Clemson's median rent of $2,129/mo is $164 (8%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #7 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
52%
EXPENSIVE

At $2,129/mo, rent takes ~52% of Clemson's median household income ($49,520/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clemson 52%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Clemson affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Clemson
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Clemson, SC

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