City Report · SC

Lexington

Pop. 24,585·24th most expensive in South Carolina·Lexington rents are up 6.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,781/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.8%
Month-over-Month
+2.8%
vs US Median
-$184
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Lexington rents
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Lexington · $1,781
More affordable than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
45/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Lexington's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,781/mo
Expected by trend
$1,737/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lexington's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,070
1 BR
$1,180
2 BR
$1,305
3 BR
$1,665
4 BR+
$2,000
Research median
$1,305/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$21,372/yr
At $1,781/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.8% YoY, +2.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lexington, SC is majority owner-occupied, 50.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,585
Median income
$87,126
Median age
39
Renters
31.3%
Age distribution
24.1%
18.8%
29.1%
16.3%
Under 1824.1%
18–3418.8%
35–5429.1%
55–6411.6%
65+16.3%
Gender
48.4%
51.6%
Male48.4%
Female51.6%
Race & ethnicity
74.7%
White74.7%
Black11.1%
Hispanic6.6%
Asian6%
Other1.6%
Education (25+)
18.7%
25.7%
50.7%
No HS diploma4.9%
HS diploma18.7%
Some college25.7%
Bachelor's+50.7%
Housing tenure
68.7%
31.3%
Owner68.7%
Renter31.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lexington, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,249 → $1,781
up 42.6%
Income
$73,785 → $87,126
up 18.1%
Population
23,068 → 24,585
up 6.6%
Renter share
35.5% → 31.3%
-4.2 pts
Bachelor's+
46.2% → 50.7%
+4.5 pts
Median age
37.7 → 39
+1.3 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Lexington, SC has climbed from $1,249 to $1,781, a 42.6% change over five years. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $73,785 in 2021 to $87,126 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 6.6% since 2021, moving from about 23,068 residents to roughly 24,585. Renters now make up 31.3% of households, compared with 35.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 50.7% of adults here, versus 46.2% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Lexington, SC market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lexington

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Lexington on your salary?

At $1,781/mo, how Lexington rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Lexington rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lexington

About renting in Lexington, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lexington is $1,781/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,070/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,305/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,180/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,665/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($87,126/yr), Lexington ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lexington an affordable city for renters?

Lexington is considered affordable for renters. At $1,781/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($87,126/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lexington falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lexington?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $71,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,781/mo in Lexington. The local median household income is $87,126/yr, meaning the typical Lexington household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lexington?

Rent in Lexington has increased 6.8% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Lexington neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lexington are 29072 ($1,651/mo), and 29073 ($1,986/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lexington is $1,781/mo.

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

Lexington is middle-of-the-pack for South Carolina for rent, ranking #24 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,781/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lexington?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lexington ($1,781/mo): Columbia ($1,478/mo), Cayce ($1,633/mo), West Columbia ($1,703/mo).

What percentage of Lexington residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 31.3% of Lexington households are renters, while 68.7% are owner-occupied. Lexington leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Lexington rent compare to the national average?

Lexington's median rent of $1,781/mo is $184 (9%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #24 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,781/mo, rent takes ~25% of Lexington's median household income ($87,126/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lexington 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Lexington affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Lexington
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Lexington, SC

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Lexington.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.