Charleston, SC Rental Market Trends
Last updated: May 15, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Charleston is $2,082, a 0.42% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,073.
Studio Apartments at $1,933 offer the most budget-friendly option with 602 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 766 square feet for $1,874, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,119 offer 1,102 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,376 sq ft) for $2,611, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Charleston, SC
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,082 | 981 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,933 | 602 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,874 | 766 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,119 | 1,102 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,611 | 1,376 sq. ft. |
Charleston, SC rent trends
Rental prices in Charleston, SC have increased by 0.42% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,073 to $2,082.
What's the typical rent budget in Charleston, SC?
The largest share of rentals in Charleston, SC (46%) fall between $1,501-$2,000 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Charleston, SC?
30,211 or 44% of the households in Charleston, SC are renter-occupied while 37,816 or 56% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Charleston?
Ashely Hall Plantation $1,444/month
Huntington Woods - Orange Grove $1,463/month
Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens $1,532/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,082/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston?
Westside Charleston $2,560/month
East Central Charleston $2,854/month
Cannonborough - Elliottborough $3,761/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Charleston, SC By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Cannonborough - Elliottborough | $3,761 |
| East Central Charleston | $2,854 |
| Westside Charleston | $2,560 |
| Meeting St Manor - Cooper River Court | $2,501 |
| Silver Hill - Magnolia | $2,321 |
| Daniel Island | $2,243 |
| Riverland Woods - Dill Tract | $2,212 |
| Cross Creek - Dogwood Park | $2,131 |
| Bolton's Landing | $1,961 |
| Mt Royall - Harrington Place | $1,838 |
| Dupont Area - Orleans | $1,713 |
| Drayton Quarters - Magwood | $1,631 |
| Savage Road - Citadel Mall | $1,617 |
| Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens | $1,532 |
| Huntington Woods - Orange Grove | $1,463 |
| Ashely Hall Plantation | $1,444 |
Charleston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Ashely Hall Plantation is 26% lower than in Bolton's Landing
Ashely Hall Plantation rent is 31% lower than Charleston average
Bolton's Landing rent is 6% lower than Charleston average
How Charleston Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $2,082 |
| Myrtle Beach | $1,599 |
| Columbia | $1,501 |
| Greenville | $1,580 |
| Summerville | $1,663 |
| Spartanburg | $1,237 |
| Aiken | $1,333 |
| Lexington | $1,524 |
| Fort Mill | $1,702 |
| Rock Hill | $1,463 |
| Beaufort | $1,730 |
| North Charleston, SC | $1,530 |
| Ladson | $1,627 |
| Goose Creek, SC | $1,766 |
| North Charleston | $1,741 |
| Georgetown, SC | $1,573 |
| Hanahan, SC | $1,402 |
| Port Royal, SC | $1,425 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $3,031 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Charleston apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.