At $1,431/mo, rent takes about 37% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,431 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($46,311) is $1,158 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,050); a 3-bedroom is $1,430.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Lancaster. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Lancaster, SC has changed in 5 years
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.
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Can you afford rent in Lancaster on your salary?
At $1,431/mo, how Lancaster rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Lancaster rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Lancaster. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Lancaster
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Lancaster is $1,431/mo as of October 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 37% 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Lancaster?
Is rent going up or down in Lancaster?
How does Lancaster rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?
At $1,431/mo, rent takes ~37% of Lancaster's median household income ($46,311/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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