City Report · SC

Spartanburg

Pop. 38,910·56th most expensive in South Carolina·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,375/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.6%
Month-over-Month
+1.7%
vs US Median
-$590
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Spartanburg · $1,375
More affordable than 83% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
62/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Spartanburg's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,375/mo
Expected by trend
$1,465/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Spartanburg's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,052
1 BR
$1,092
2 BR
$1,212
3 BR
$1,493
4 BR+
$1,632
Research median
$1,212/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
$16,500/yr
At $1,375/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.6% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Spartanburg, SC is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income below the national average, 32.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,910
Median income
$51,964
Median age
36
Renters
46.1%
Age distribution
22.5%
25.7%
22.2%
12.3%
17.3%
Under 1822.5%
18–3425.7%
35–5422.2%
55–6412.3%
65+17.3%
Gender
44.6%
55.4%
Male44.6%
Female55.4%
Race & ethnicity
49%
39.4%
White49%
Black39.4%
Hispanic6.6%
Asian2.1%
Other3%
Education (25+)
12.3%
30.3%
24.8%
32.6%
No HS diploma12.3%
HS diploma30.3%
Some college24.8%
Bachelor's+32.6%
Housing tenure
53.9%
46.1%
Owner53.9%
Renter46.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Spartanburg, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,039 → $1,375
up 32.3%
Income
$45,228 → $51,964
up 14.9%
Population
37,990 → 38,910
up 2.4%
Renter share
47.5% → 46.1%
-1.4 pts
Bachelor's+
32.7% → 32.6%
-0.1 pts
Median age
35.5 → 36
+0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Spartanburg, SC has shifted from $1,039 to $1,375, up 32.3% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $45,228 in 2021 to $51,964 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Spartanburg, SC adding about 920 residents over the five-year window, up 2.4% on net. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Spartanburg, SC market of 2021.

Community

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View Spartanburg rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Spartanburg on your salary?

At $1,375/mo, how Spartanburg rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Spartanburg rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Spartanburg

About renting in Spartanburg, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Spartanburg is $1,375/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,052/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,212/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,092/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,493/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($51,964/yr), Spartanburg ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Spartanburg an affordable city for renters?

Spartanburg is considered moderate for renters. At $1,375/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($51,964/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Spartanburg slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Spartanburg?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,375/mo in Spartanburg. The local median household income is $51,964/yr, meaning the typical Spartanburg household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Spartanburg?

Rent in Spartanburg has increased 4.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Spartanburg neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Spartanburg are 29306 ($1,214/mo), 29307 ($1,240/mo), and 29303 ($1,367/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Spartanburg is $1,375/mo.

How does Spartanburg rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Spartanburg is one of the more affordable cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #56 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,375/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Spartanburg?

Gaffney is nearby and more affordable at $1,074/mo, which is $301 less than Spartanburg.

What percentage of Spartanburg residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 46.1% of Spartanburg households are renters, while 53.9% are owner-occupied. Spartanburg leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Spartanburg rent compare to the national average?

Spartanburg's median rent of $1,375/mo is $590 (30%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #56 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,375/mo, rent takes ~32% of Spartanburg's median household income ($51,964/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Spartanburg 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Spartanburg affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Spartanburg
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Spartanburg, SC

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