Studio Apartment Rent in North Charleston, SC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in North Charleston, South Carolina as of October 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,742 and +11% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in North Charleston
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in North Charleston
Compare North Charleston's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in South Carolina
Most expensive cities for a studio in South Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Pleasant | $2,185 |
| 2 | Bluffton | $2,010 |
| 3 | Charleston | $1,844 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $1,705 |
| 5 | Fort Mill | $1,620 |
| 6 | Ladson | $1,580 |
| 7 | Summerville | $1,517 |
| 8 | Beaufort | $1,517 |
| 9 | Goose Creek | $1,500 |
| 10 | Hanahan | $1,490 |
| 11 | Clover | $1,490 |
| 12 | Chapin | $1,470 |
| 13 | Simpsonville | $1,450 |
| 14 | North Charleston (this page) | $1,433 |
| 15 | Irmo | $1,420 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than North Charleston.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs North Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanahan, SC | 3.8 mi | $1,490 | +$57 (+4%) |
| Ladson, SC | 6.8 mi | $1,580 | +$147 (+10%) |
| Goose Creek, SC | 8.6 mi | $1,500 | +$67 (+5%) |
| Charleston, SC | 10.2 mi | $1,844 | +$411 (+29%) |
| Summerville, SC | 10.7 mi | $1,517 | +$84 (+6%) |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 16.3 mi | $2,185 | +$752 (+52%) |
| Moncks Corner, SC | 17.6 mi | $1,280 | $-153 (-11%) |
| Beaufort, SC | 54.9 mi | $1,517 | +$84 (+6%) |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 68.5 mi | $1,705 | +$272 (+19%) |
| Orangeburg, SC | 70.5 mi | $855 | $-578 (-40%) |
| Bluffton, SC | 71.3 mi | $2,010 | +$577 (+40%) |
| Sumter, SC | 72.1 mi | $860 | $-573 (-40%) |
Studio rent in North Charleston — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in North Charleston?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in North Charleston, South Carolina is $1,433 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,742.
What income do you need to afford a studio in North Charleston?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $57,320 ($4,777/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.56/hour at a full-time job.
Is North Charleston expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
North Charleston's studio median of $1,433 is +11% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 61th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does North Charleston rank for studio rent in South Carolina?
Among the 62 cities in South Carolina with studio data, North Charleston ranks #49 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near North Charleston?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Moncks Corner ($1,280), Orangeburg ($855), Sumter ($860).