City Report · SC

Murrells Inlet

Pop. 10,044·12th most expensive in South Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Murrells Inlet, SC
Median rent (all units)
$1,948/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.0%
Month-over-Month
+3.2%
vs US Median
-$14
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Murrells Inlet · $1,948
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
30% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,948/mo, rent takes about 30% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$78,000/yr
Local median income
$77,438/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Murrells Inlet's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,270
1 BR
$1,320
2 BR
$1,600
3 BR
$1,990
4 BR+
$2,340
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,600/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,948 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
$23,376/yr
At $1,948/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.0% YoY, +3.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Murrells Inlet, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 42.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
10,044
Median income
$77,438
Median age
60.4
Renters
14%
Age distribution
18.2%
22%
38.3%
Under 1811.4%
18–3410.1%
35–5418.2%
55–6422%
65+38.3%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
86%
White86%
Black6%
Hispanic7.9%
Asian0.6%
Education (25+)
19.7%
34.7%
42.1%
No HS diploma3.5%
HS diploma19.7%
Some college34.7%
Bachelor's+42.1%
Housing tenure
86%
14%
Owner86%
Renter14%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Murrells Inlet, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$67,981 → $77,438
up 13.9%
Population
9,695 → 10,044
up 3.6%
Renter share
17.8% → 14%
-3.8 pts
Bachelor's+
38.9% → 42.1%
+3.2 pts
Median age
59.5 → 60.4
+0.9 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Murrells Inlet, SC now reports about $77,438, up from $67,981 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 9,695 to 10,044 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.6% change. About 14% of households rent today, against 17.8% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 38.9% to 42.1%.

Community

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View Murrells Inlet rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Murrells Inlet on your salary?

At $1,948/mo, how Murrells Inlet rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Murrells Inlet rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Murrells Inlet

About renting in Murrells Inlet, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Murrells Inlet is $1,948/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,270/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,600/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,320/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,990/mo.

At 30% of local median household income ($77,438/yr), Murrells Inlet ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Murrells Inlet an affordable city for renters?

Murrells Inlet is considered moderate for renters. At $1,948/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($77,438/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Murrells Inlet slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Murrells Inlet?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $78,000/year (~$38/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,948/mo in Murrells Inlet. The local median household income is $77,438/yr, meaning the typical Murrells Inlet household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Murrells Inlet?

Rent in Murrells Inlet has increased 4.0% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Murrells Inlet rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Murrells Inlet is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #12 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,948/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Murrells Inlet?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Murrells Inlet ($1,948/mo): Surfside Beach ($1,607/mo), Myrtle Beach ($1,697/mo), Conway ($1,890/mo).

What percentage of Murrells Inlet residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 14% of Murrells Inlet households are renters, while 86% are owner-occupied. Murrells Inlet leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Murrells Inlet rent compare to the national average?

Murrells Inlet's median rent of $1,948/mo is $14 (1%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #12 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,948/mo, rent takes ~30% of Murrells Inlet's median household income ($77,438/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Murrells Inlet 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
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