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City Report · SC

Lancaster

Pop. 8,921·60th most expensive in South Carolina·Rents have been falling, good time to negotiate
Median rent (all units)
$1,318/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-4.0%
vs US Median
-$647
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lancaster · $1,318
More affordable than 87% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
34% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,318/mo, rent takes about 34% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$46,311/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Lancaster's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$940
2 BR
$1,050
3 BR
$1,430
4 BR+
$1,580
Research median
$1,050/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
$15,816/yr
At $1,318/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Lancaster, SC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 21.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,921
Median income
$46,311
Median age
40.4
Renters
49.5%
Age distribution
23.1%
18.3%
27.7%
20.8%
Under 1823.1%
18–3418.3%
35–5427.7%
55–6410.1%
65+20.8%
Gender
46.8%
53.2%
Male46.8%
Female53.2%
Race & ethnicity
41%
45.9%
White41%
Black45.9%
Hispanic11.4%
Asian0.8%
Other0.9%
Education (25+)
19.8%
27.7%
31.5%
21.1%
No HS diploma19.8%
HS diploma27.7%
Some college31.5%
Bachelor's+21.1%
Housing tenure
50.5%
49.5%
Owner50.5%
Renter49.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lancaster, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$29,738 → $46,311
up 55.7%
Population
8,489 → 8,921
up 5.1%
Renter share
60.5% → 49.5%
-11.0 pts
Bachelor's+
16.3% → 21.1%
+4.8 pts
Median age
37 → 40.4
+3.4 yrs

Median household income climbed from $29,738 to $46,311 between 2021 and 2024, a 55.7% shift. Census counts show Lancaster, SC adding about 432 residents over the five-year window, up 5.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 60.5% to 49.5%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 16.3% to 21.1% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Lancaster

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

Can you afford rent in Lancaster on your salary?

At $1,318/mo, how Lancaster rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lancaster rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lancaster

About renting in Lancaster, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lancaster is $1,318/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,050/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $940/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,430/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($46,311/yr), Lancaster ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lancaster an affordable city for renters?

Lancaster is considered moderate for renters. At $1,318/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($46,311/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lancaster slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Lancaster?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,318/mo in Lancaster. The local median household income is $46,311/yr, meaning the typical Lancaster household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lancaster?

Rent in Lancaster has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

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

Lancaster is one of the more affordable cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #60 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,318/mo.

What percentage of Lancaster residents rent vs. own?

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

How does Lancaster rent compare to the national average?

Lancaster's median rent of $1,318/mo is $647 (33%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #60 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,318/mo, rent takes ~34% of Lancaster's median household income ($46,311/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lancaster 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lancaster, SC

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