Rents are 6% below what Summerville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,879 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Summerville, SC is majority owner-occupied, 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Summerville, SC has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Summerville, SC stood at $1,387 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,879, reflecting a 35.5% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $81,046 today, compared with $64,507 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.7% since 2021, moving from about 50,318 residents to roughly 51,654. Renters now make up 30.9% of households, compared with 34.1% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 33.5% of adults here, versus 30.1% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Summerville
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Summerville on your salary?
At $1,879/mo, how Summerville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Summerville rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Summerville. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Summerville
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Summerville is $1,879/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,517/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,743/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,577/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,160/mo.
At 28% of local median household income ($81,046/yr), Summerville ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Summerville an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Summerville?
Is rent going up or down in Summerville?
Which Summerville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Summerville rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Summerville?
What percentage of Summerville residents rent vs. own?
How does Summerville rent compare to the national average?
At $1,879/mo, rent takes ~28% of Summerville's median household income ($81,046/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Summerville.
No discussions yet.
