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City Report · SC

Gaffney

Pop. 12,596·67th most expensive in South Carolina·Gaffney rents are up 12.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,047/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.2%
Month-over-Month
-2.5%
vs US Median
-$915
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gaffney · $1,047
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,047/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$42,000/yr
Local median income
$41,089/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Gaffney's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$740
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$980
3 BR
$1,220
4 BR+
$1,410
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$980/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,047 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
$12,564/yr
At $1,047/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.2% YoY, -2.5% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Gaffney, SC is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 23.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
12,596
Median income
$41,089
Median age
31.9
Renters
49.5%
Age distribution
22%
32%
18.8%
15.7%
Under 1822%
18–3432%
35–5418.8%
55–6411.5%
65+15.7%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
41.3%
40.7%
White41.3%
Black40.7%
Hispanic8.2%
Asian0.5%
Other9.3%
Education (25+)
15.5%
34.3%
27.2%
23.1%
No HS diploma15.5%
HS diploma34.3%
Some college27.2%
Bachelor's+23.1%
Housing tenure
50.5%
49.5%
Owner50.5%
Renter49.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gaffney, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$33,514 → $41,089
up 22.6%
Population
12,560 → 12,596
up 0.3%
Renter share
49.1% → 49.5%
+0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
16.7% → 23.1%
+6.4 pts
Median age
34.7 → 31.9
-2.8 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $41,089 today, compared with $33,514 five years earlier. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 16.7% to 23.1%.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Gaffney on your salary?

At $1,047/mo, how Gaffney rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Gaffney rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gaffney

About renting in Gaffney, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Gaffney is $1,047/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $740/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,220/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($41,089/yr), Gaffney ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gaffney an affordable city for renters?

Gaffney is considered moderate for renters. At $1,047/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($41,089/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gaffney slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Gaffney?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $42,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,047/mo in Gaffney. The local median household income is $41,089/yr, meaning the typical Gaffney household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gaffney?

Rent in Gaffney has increased 12.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

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

Gaffney is one of the more affordable cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #67 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,047/mo.

What percentage of Gaffney residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.5% of Gaffney households are renters, while 50.5% are owner-occupied. Gaffney leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gaffney rent compare to the national average?

Gaffney's median rent of $1,047/mo is $915 (47%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #67 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,047/mo, rent takes ~31% of Gaffney's median household income ($41,089/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gaffney 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Gaffney affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Gaffney
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Gaffney, SC

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