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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Sumter, SC is $1,530. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Sumter cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

Sumter is among the more affordable cities in South Carolina, ranking #45 out of 67 cities at $1,530/mo.

When was Sumter rent data last updated?

Sumter 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

Sumter

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

Pop. 43,053·45th most expensive in South Carolina·Sumter rents are up 10.3% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,530/mo

Year-over-Year

+10.3%

Month-over-Month

+2.8%

vs US Median

-$435

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Sumter · $1,530

More affordable than 74% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

41/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Sumter's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,530/mo

Expected by trend

$1,466/mo

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$860

1 BR

$977

2 BR

$1,257

3 BR

$1,513

4 BR+

$1,763

Research median

$1,257/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

$18,360/yr

At $1,530/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 10.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+10.3% YoY, +2.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Sumter, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

43,053

Median income

$55,592

Median age

33.6

Renters

42.8%

Age distribution

26%

25.8%

19.6%

17.6%

Under 1826%

18–3425.8%

35–5419.6%

55–6410.9%

65+17.6%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

40.3%

46.4%

White40.3%

Black46.4%

Hispanic7.1%

Asian2.8%

Other3.4%

Education (25+)

28.7%

32.5%

28.7%

No HS diploma10.2%

HS diploma28.7%

Some college32.5%

Bachelor's+28.7%

Housing tenure

57.2%

42.8%

Owner57.2%

Renter42.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Sumter, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,050 → $1,530

up 45.7%

Income

$43,051 → $55,592

up 29.1%

Population

42,920 → 43,053

up 0.3%

Renter share

48.9% → 42.8%

-6.1 pts

Bachelor's+

26.6% → 28.7%

+2.1 pts

Median age

32.3 → 33.6

+1.3 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Sumter, SC paid around $1,050 a month. That figure now sits near $1,530, up 45.7% from the 2021 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $55,592 today, compared with $43,051 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. The renter share has eased from 48.9% to 42.8%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 26.6% to 28.7% across the same window. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Sumter

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View Sumter rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Sumter on your salary?

At $1,530/mo, how Sumter rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 22.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 31.1% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 15.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 11.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 33.2% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 36.8% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 29.8% income

affordable

By apartment size

Sumter rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Sumter

About renting in Sumter, SC

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Sumter is $1,530/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $860/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,257/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $977/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,513/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($55,592/yr), Sumter ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 10.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Sumter an affordable city for renters?

Sumter is considered moderate for renters. At $1,530/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($55,592/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Sumter slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Sumter?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $61,000/year (~$29/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,530/mo in Sumter. The local median household income is $55,592/yr, meaning the typical Sumter household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Sumter?

Rent in Sumter has increased 10.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Sumter neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Sumter are 29150 ($1,316/mo), 29154 ($1,759/mo), and 29153 ($1,950/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Sumter is $1,530/mo.

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

Sumter is one of the more affordable cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #45 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,530/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Sumter?

Camden is nearby and more affordable at $1,493/mo, which is $37 less than Sumter.

What percentage of Sumter residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.8% of Sumter households are renters, while 57.2% are owner-occupied. Sumter leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Sumter rent compare to the national average?

Sumter's median rent of $1,530/mo is $435 (22%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #45 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $1,530/mo, rent takes ~33% of Sumter's median household income ($55,592/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Sumter 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the Sumter affordability calculator →

Nearby cities