How much does it cost to rent in North Charleston, SC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in North Charleston, SC is $1,738. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is North Charleston cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

North Charleston falls in the middle range for South Carolina, ranking #29 out of 67 cities at $1,738/mo.

When was North Charleston rent data last updated?

North Charleston rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · SC

North Charleston

Name: Average Rent Prices in North Charleston, SC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 119,913·29th most expensive in South Carolina·North Charleston rents are up 5.1% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,738/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

-$227

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

North Charleston · $1,738

More affordable than 58% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

61/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 5% below what North Charleston's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,738/mo

Expected by trend

$1,838/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where North Charleston's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,433

1 BR

$1,488

2 BR

$1,648

3 BR

$2,040

4 BR+

$2,403

Research median

$1,648/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

$20,856/yr

At $1,738/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.1% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

North Charleston, SC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 28.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

119,913

Median income

$62,956

Median age

34.6

Renters

50.2%

Age distribution

21.9%

28.7%

25.6%

12.5%

Under 1821.9%

18–3428.7%

35–5425.6%

55–6411.4%

65+12.5%

Gender

49.7%

50.3%

Male49.7%

Female50.3%

Race & ethnicity

39.5%

41.8%

12.9%

White39.5%

Black41.8%

Hispanic12.9%

Asian3.1%

Other2.6%

Education (25+)

26.8%

33.3%

28.6%

No HS diploma11.3%

HS diploma26.8%

Some college33.3%

Bachelor's+28.6%

Housing tenure

49.8%

50.2%

Owner49.8%

Renter50.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How North Charleston, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,190 → $1,738

up 46.1%

Income

$52,264 → $62,956

up 20.5%

Population

114,542 → 119,913

up 4.7%

Renter share

51.3% → 50.2%

-1.1 pts

Bachelor's+

26.6% → 28.6%

+2.0 pts

Median age

33.7 → 34.6

+0.9 yrs

Five years ago, renters in North Charleston, SC paid around $1,190 a month. That figure now sits near $1,738, up 46.1% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $52,264 to $62,956 between 2021 and 2024, a 20.5% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show North Charleston, SC adding about 5,371 residents over the five-year window, up 4.7% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 26.6% to 28.6% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in North Charleston, SC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about North Charleston

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View North Charleston rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in North Charleston on your salary?

At $1,738/mo, how North Charleston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 25.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 35.3% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 30.7% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 17.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 13.4% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 37.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 41.8% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 33.9% income

stretched

By apartment size

North Charleston rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in North Charleston

About renting in North Charleston, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in North Charleston is $1,738/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,433/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,648/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,488/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,040/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($62,956/yr), North Charleston ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is North Charleston an affordable city for renters?

North Charleston is considered moderate for renters. At $1,738/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($62,956/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. North Charleston slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in North Charleston?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,738/mo in North Charleston. The local median household income is $62,956/yr, meaning the typical North Charleston household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in North Charleston?

Rent in North Charleston has increased 5.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which North Charleston neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in North Charleston are 29406 ($1,657/mo), 29420 ($1,719/mo), and 29418 ($1,910/mo). Citywide, the median rent in North Charleston is $1,738/mo.

How does North Charleston rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

North Charleston is middle-of-the-pack for South Carolina for rent, ranking #29 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,738/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than North Charleston?

Ladson is nearby and more affordable at $1,697/mo, which is $41 less than North Charleston.

What percentage of North Charleston residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.2% of North Charleston households are renters, while 49.8% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, North Charleston has a strong rental market.

How does North Charleston rent compare to the national average?

North Charleston's median rent of $1,738/mo is $227 (12%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #29 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,738/mo, rent takes ~33% of North Charleston's median household income ($62,956/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

North Charleston 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the North Charleston affordability calculator →

Nearby cities