How much does it cost to rent in Summerville, SC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Summerville, SC is $1,896. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Summerville cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

Summerville is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina, ranking #14 out of 67 cities tracked at $1,896/mo.

When was Summerville rent data last updated?

Summerville rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · SC

Summerville

Name: Average Rent Prices in Summerville, SC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 51,654·14th most expensive in South Carolina·Summerville rents are up 5.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,896/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.3%

Month-over-Month

+1.0%

vs US Median

-$69

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Summerville rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Summerville · $1,896

More expensive than 52% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

59/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Summerville's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,896/mo

Expected by trend

$1,984/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Summerville's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,517

1 BR

$1,577

2 BR

$1,743

3 BR

$2,160

4 BR+

$2,540

Research median

$1,743/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,752/yr

At $1,896/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.3% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Summerville, SC is majority owner-occupied, 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

51,654

Median income

$81,046

Median age

38.9

Renters

30.9%

Age distribution

22.8%

21.5%

26%

13.5%

16.2%

Under 1822.8%

18–3421.5%

35–5426%

55–6413.5%

65+16.2%

Gender

47.3%

52.7%

Male47.3%

Female52.7%

Race & ethnicity

65.3%

19.9%

White65.3%

Black19.9%

Hispanic9.1%

Asian1.9%

Other3.8%

Education (25+)

25.4%

34.6%

33.5%

No HS diploma6.6%

HS diploma25.4%

Some college34.6%

Bachelor's+33.5%

Housing tenure

69.1%

30.9%

Owner69.1%

Renter30.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Summerville, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,387 → $1,896

up 36.7%

Income

$64,507 → $81,046

up 25.6%

Population

50,318 → 51,654

up 2.7%

Renter share

34.1% → 30.9%

-3.2 pts

Bachelor's+

30.1% → 33.5%

+3.4 pts

Median age

38.3 → 38.9

+0.6 yrs

The median rent in Summerville, SC stood at $1,387 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,896, reflecting a 36.7% 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.

Community

Discussions about Summerville

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View Summerville rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Summerville on your salary?

At $1,896/mo, how Summerville rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 27.4% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 38.5% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 33.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 18.7% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 14.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 41.2% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 45.6% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 37% income

stretched

By apartment size

Summerville rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Summerville

About renting in Summerville, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Summerville is $1,896/mo as of July 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 5.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Summerville an affordable city for renters?

Summerville is considered affordable for renters. At $1,896/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($81,046/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Summerville falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Summerville?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,896/mo in Summerville. The local median household income is $81,046/yr, meaning the typical Summerville household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Summerville?

Rent in Summerville has increased 5.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Summerville neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Summerville are 29485 ($1,713/mo), 29483 ($1,878/mo), and 29486 ($2,039/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Summerville is $1,896/mo.

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

Summerville is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #14 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,896/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Summerville?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Summerville ($1,896/mo): Ladson ($1,697/mo), North Charleston ($1,738/mo), Hanahan ($1,781/mo).

What percentage of Summerville residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.9% of Summerville households are renters, while 69.1% are owner-occupied. Summerville leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Summerville rent compare to the national average?

Summerville's median rent of $1,896/mo is $69 (4%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #14 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,896/mo, rent takes ~28% of Summerville's median household income ($81,046/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Summerville 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the Summerville affordability calculator →

Nearby cities