Charleston, SC Rental Market Trends
Last updated: November 18, 2025 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Charleston is $2,051, a 0.6% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,063.
Studio Apartments at $1,974 offer the most budget-friendly option with 602 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 768 square feet for $1,857, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,100 offer 1,101 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,359 sq ft) for $2,509, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Charleston, SC
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,051 | 979 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $1,974 | 602 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $1,857 | 768 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,100 | 1,101 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $2,509 | 1,359 sq. ft. |
Charleston, SC rent trends
Rental prices in Charleston, SC have decreased by 0.6% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,063 to $2,051.
What's the typical rent budget in Charleston, SC?
The largest share of rentals in Charleston, SC (48%) 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?
29,479 or 44% of the households in Charleston, SC are renter-occupied while 36,929 or 56% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Charleston?
Huntington Woods - Orange Grove $1,433/month
St. Andrews - Forest $1,439/month
Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens $1,515/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,051/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston?
East Central Charleston $2,892/month
Cannonborough - Elliottborough $3,701/month
Downtown Charleston $4,154/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Charleston, SC By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Downtown Charleston | $4,154 |
| Cannonborough - Elliottborough | $3,701 |
| East Central Charleston | $2,892 |
| Westside Charleston | $2,658 |
| Meeting St Manor - Cooper River Court | $2,419 |
| Silver Hill - Magnolia | $2,361 |
| Riverland Woods - Dill Tract | $2,195 |
| Daniel Island | $2,176 |
| Cross Creek - Dogwood Park | $2,099 |
| Bolton's Landing | $1,942 |
| Mt Royall - Harrington Place | $1,826 |
| Essex Farms - Carolina Bay | $1,790 |
| Savage Road - Citadel Mall | $1,683 |
| Dupont Area - Orleans | $1,662 |
| Drayton Quarters - Magwood | $1,617 |
| Ashely Hall Plantation | $1,598 |
| Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens | $1,515 |
| St. Andrews - Forest | $1,439 |
| Huntington Woods - Orange Grove | $1,433 |
Charleston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Ashely Hall Plantation is 18% lower than in Bolton's Landing
Ashely Hall Plantation rent is 22% lower than Charleston average
Bolton's Landing rent is 5% lower than Charleston average
How Charleston Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Charleston | $2,051 |
| Columbia | $1,472 |
| Greenville | $1,559 |
| Summerville | $1,659 |
| Myrtle Beach | $1,649 |
| Spartanburg | $1,240 |
| Fort Mill | $1,676 |
| Florence | $1,194 |
| Beaufort | $1,761 |
| Aiken | $1,270 |
| Rock Hill | $1,464 |
| North Charleston, SC | $1,550 |
| Goose Creek, SC | $1,706 |
| Ladson | $1,588 |
| North Charleston | $1,691 |
| Hanahan, SC | $1,430 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $2,722 |
| Okatie, SC | $1,875 |
| Port Royal, SC | $1,445 |
| Georgetown, SC | $1,550 |
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.