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City Report · SC

Pawleys Island

Pop. 170·11th most expensive in South Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Pawleys Island, SC
Median rent (all units)
$2,025/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-15.6%
vs US Median
+$60
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Pawleys Island · $2,025
More expensive than 60% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,025/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$81,000/yr
Local median income
$122,500/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Pawleys Island's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,140
1 BR
$1,150
2 BR
$1,510
3 BR
$1,820
4 BR+
$2,180
Research median
$1,510/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$24,300/yr
At $2,025/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -15.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Pawleys Island, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 88% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
170
Median income
$122,500
Median age
68.3
Renters
2.1%
Age distribution
20%
70.6%
Under 181.8%
35–547.6%
55–6420%
65+70.6%
Gender
45.3%
54.7%
Male45.3%
Female54.7%
Race & ethnicity
98.8%
White98.8%
Other1.2%
Education (25+)
88%
No HS diploma0.6%
HS diploma3.6%
Some college7.8%
Bachelor's+88%
Housing tenure
97.9%
Owner97.9%
Renter2.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Pawleys Island, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$130,833 → $122,500
down 6.4%
Population
87 → 170
up 95.4%
Renter share
9.6% → 2.1%
-7.5 pts
Bachelor's+
85.9% → 88%
+2.1 pts
Median age
66.8 → 68.3
+1.5 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Pawleys Island, SC now reports about $122,500, up from $130,833 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 87 to 170 between 2021 and 2024, a 95.4% change. About 2.1% of households rent today, against 9.6% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 85.9% to 88%.

Community

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View Pawleys Island rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Pawleys Island on your salary?

At $2,025/mo, how Pawleys Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Pawleys Island rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Pawleys Island

About renting in Pawleys Island, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Pawleys Island is $2,025/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,140/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,510/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,150/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,820/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($122,500/yr), Pawleys Island ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Pawleys Island an affordable city for renters?

Pawleys Island is considered very affordable for renters. At $2,025/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($122,500/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Pawleys Island falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Pawleys Island?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (~$39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,025/mo in Pawleys Island. The local median household income is $122,500/yr, meaning the typical Pawleys Island household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Pawleys Island?

Rent in Pawleys Island has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Pawleys Island rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Pawleys Island is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #11 out of 67 tracked cities at $2,025/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Pawleys Island?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Pawleys Island ($2,025/mo): Surfside Beach ($1,578/mo), Myrtle Beach ($1,676/mo), Conway ($1,763/mo).

What percentage of Pawleys Island residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 2.1% of Pawleys Island households are renters, while 97.9% are owner-occupied. Pawleys Island leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Pawleys Island rent compare to the national average?

Pawleys Island's median rent of $2,025/mo is $60 (3%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #11 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $2,025/mo, rent takes ~20% of Pawleys Island's median household income ($122,500/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Pawleys Island 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Pawleys Island affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Pawleys Island, SC

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