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City Report · SC

Port Royal

Pop. 15,579·44th most expensive in South Carolina·Port Royal rents are up 12.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,569/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.4%
Month-over-Month
+4.3%
vs US Median
-$393
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Port Royal · $1,569
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,569/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$63,000/yr
Local median income
$74,870/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Port Royal's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,480
1 BR
$1,540
2 BR
$1,700
3 BR
$2,050
4 BR+
$2,620
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,700/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,569 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
$18,828/yr
At $1,569/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.4% YoY, +4.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Port Royal, SC is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 38.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
15,579
Median income
$74,870
Median age
25.1
Renters
61.9%
Age distribution
18.3%
49.4%
16.6%
Under 1818.3%
18–3449.4%
35–5416.6%
55–646.8%
65+8.9%
Gender
57.1%
42.9%
Male57.1%
Female42.9%
Race & ethnicity
62%
15.4%
21.4%
White62%
Black15.4%
Hispanic21.4%
Asian2.3%
Education (25+)
20.9%
34%
38.4%
No HS diploma6.7%
HS diploma20.9%
Some college34%
Bachelor's+38.4%
Housing tenure
38.1%
61.9%
Owner38.1%
Renter61.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Port Royal, SC has changed in 5 years

Income
$63,645 → $74,870
up 17.6%
Population
12,734 → 15,579
up 22.3%
Renter share
62.2% → 61.9%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
37.6% → 38.4%
+0.8 pts
Median age
26.5 → 25.1
-1.4 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $63,645 in 2021 to $74,870 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 12,734 to 15,579 between 2021 and 2024, a 22.3% change.

Community

Discussions about Port Royal

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View Port Royal rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Port Royal on your salary?

At $1,569/mo, how Port Royal rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Port Royal rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Port Royal. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Port Royal

About renting in Port Royal, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Port Royal is $1,569/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,480/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,700/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,540/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,050/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($74,870/yr), Port Royal ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Port Royal an affordable city for renters?

Port Royal is considered affordable for renters. At $1,569/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($74,870/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Port Royal falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Port Royal?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,569/mo in Port Royal. The local median household income is $74,870/yr, meaning the typical Port Royal household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Port Royal?

Rent in Port Royal has increased 12.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Port Royal rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Port Royal is middle-of-the-pack for South Carolina for rent, ranking #44 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,569/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Port Royal?

Hardeeville is nearby and more affordable at $1,451/mo, which is $118 less than Port Royal.

What percentage of Port Royal residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 61.9% of Port Royal households are renters, while 38.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Port Royal has a strong rental market.

How does Port Royal rent compare to the national average?

Port Royal's median rent of $1,569/mo is $393 (20%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #44 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,569/mo, rent takes ~25% of Port Royal's median household income ($74,870/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Port Royal 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Port Royal affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Port Royal, SC

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