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City Report · SC

Elgin

Pop. 2,360·19th most expensive in South Carolina·Elgin rents are up 7.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,834/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.1%
Month-over-Month
-2.3%
vs US Median
-$128
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Elgin · $1,834
More affordable than 52% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
28% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,834/mo, rent takes about 28% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$73,000/yr
Local median income
$77,994/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Elgin's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,130
1 BR
$1,190
2 BR
$1,400
3 BR
$1,730
4 BR+
$2,000
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,400/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,834 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

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$22,008/yr
At $1,834/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (7.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.1% YoY, -2.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Elgin, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 23% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
2,360
Median income
$77,994
Median age
54.1
Renters
14.5%
Age distribution
15.4%
14.8%
22.6%
16.7%
30.5%
Under 1815.4%
18–3414.8%
35–5422.6%
55–6416.7%
65+30.5%
Gender
45.8%
54.2%
Male45.8%
Female54.2%
Race & ethnicity
96.5%
White96.5%
Black1.7%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
21.8%
32.9%
22.2%
23%
No HS diploma21.8%
HS diploma32.9%
Some college22.2%
Bachelor's+23%
Housing tenure
85.5%
14.5%
Owner85.5%
Renter14.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Elgin, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$55,152 → $77,994
up 41.4%
Population
2,876 → 2,360
down 17.9%
Renter share
14.2% → 14.5%
+0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
17.1% → 23%
+5.9 pts
Median age
47.4 → 54.1
+6.7 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $77,994 today, compared with $55,152 five years earlier. The population has contracted by 17.9% since 2021, moving from about 2,876 residents to roughly 2,360. College-educated residents now make up 23% of adults here, versus 17.1% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Elgin

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

Can you afford rent in Elgin on your salary?

At $1,834/mo, how Elgin rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Elgin rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Elgin

About renting in Elgin, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Elgin is $1,834/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,130/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,400/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,190/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,730/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($77,994/yr), Elgin ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Elgin an affordable city for renters?

Elgin is considered affordable for renters. At $1,834/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($77,994/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Elgin falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Elgin?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $73,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,834/mo in Elgin. The local median household income is $77,994/yr, meaning the typical Elgin household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Elgin?

Rent in Elgin has increased 7.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Elgin is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #19 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,834/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Elgin?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Elgin ($1,834/mo): Forest Acres ($1,136/mo), Columbia ($1,478/mo), Camden ($1,748/mo).

What percentage of Elgin residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 14.5% of Elgin households are renters, while 85.5% are owner-occupied. Elgin leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Elgin rent compare to the national average?

Elgin's median rent of $1,834/mo is $128 (7%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #19 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
28%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,834/mo, rent takes ~28% of Elgin's median household income ($77,994/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Elgin 28%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Elgin affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Elgin
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Elgin, SC

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