At $1,919/mo, rent takes about 30% 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 $1,919 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
Rent in Murrells Inlet changed +3.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 54 South Carolina cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.1%.
Rent rose in 8 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($77,438) is $1,936 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,600); a 3-bedroom is $1,990.
Surfside Beach, 7 miles away, rents for 16% less ($1,612/mo), about $3,700 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Murrells Inlet. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Murrells Inlet, SC has changed in 5 years
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%.
Discussions about Murrells Inlet
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Murrells Inlet on your salary?
At $1,919/mo, how Murrells Inlet rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Murrells Inlet rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Murrells Inlet. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Murrells Inlet
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Murrells Inlet is $1,919/mo as of October 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 3.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Murrells Inlet?
Is rent going up or down in Murrells Inlet?
How does Murrells Inlet rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Murrells Inlet?
At $1,919/mo, rent takes ~30% of Murrells Inlet's median household income ($77,438/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Murrells Inlet.
No discussions yet.