What is the average apartment size in Charleston?

The average size for a Charleston, SC apartment is 980 square feet, but this number varies greatly depending on unit type, with cheap and luxury alternatives for houses and apartments alike. Studio apartments are the smallest and most affordable, 1-bedroom apartments are closer to the average, while 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom apartments offer a more generous square footage.

What is the average rent in Charleston?

As of Jun / 2026, the average rent in Charleston is $2,137 per month, a 1.55% increase from last years average of $2,104.

How much does rent cost by apartment size in Charleston?

In Charleston, studios rent for $2,096 per month, one-bedroom units average $1,924 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $2,190 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $2,592 per month

What is the average apartment size in Charleston?

The typical apartment in Charleston offers about 980 sq. ft. square feet of living space, though actual sizes vary depending on layout and amenities.

How large are apartments by bedroom count in Charleston?

Studio apartments in Charleston average 601 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 765 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 1,099 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,359 sq. ft.

What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Charleston?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Charleston include St. Andrews - Forest ($1,399/month), Ashely Hall Plantation ($1,419/month), and Huntington Woods - Orange Grove ($1,437/month), all below the citywide average of $2,137.

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston?

The most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston are East Central Charleston ($2,762/month), Cannonborough - Elliottborough ($3,578/month), and Downtown Charleston ($4,120/month), often due to premium locations and high-end amenities.

Charleston, SC Rental Market Trends

Q: What's the typical rent budget in Charleston?

The typical rent budget in Charleston ranges from $1,501 to $2,000 per month, with 39% of rentals in this range.

Q: Do most people rent or own in Charleston?

In Charleston, 44% of households rent while 56% own their homes, based on the latest U.S. Census data.

Last updated: August 01, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Charleston is $2,137, a 1.55% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,104.

Studio Apartments at $2,096 offer the most budget-friendly option with 601 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.

One-bedroom apartments provide 765 square feet for $1,924, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-bedroom units at $2,190 offer 1,099 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,359 sq ft) for $2,592, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Charleston, SC

Last updated: August 01, 2026

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$2,137	980 sq. ft.
Studio	$2,096	601 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$1,924	765 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$2,190	1,099 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$2,592	1,359 sq. ft.

Charleston, SC rent trends

Rental prices in Charleston, SC have increased by 1.55% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,104 to $2,137.

What's the typical rent budget in Charleston, SC?

The largest share of rentals in Charleston, SC (39%) 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?

St. Andrews - Forest $1,399/month

Ashely Hall Plantation $1,419/month

Huntington Woods - Orange Grove $1,437/month

All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,137/month.

Most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston?

East Central Charleston $2,762/month

Cannonborough - Elliottborough $3,578/month

Downtown Charleston $4,120/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	$4,120
Cannonborough - Elliottborough	$3,578
East Central Charleston	$2,762
Westside Charleston	$2,738
Meeting St Manor - Cooper River Court	$2,535
Silver Hill - Magnolia	$2,393
Daniel Island	$2,297
Cross Creek - Dogwood Park	$2,178
Riverland Woods - Dill Tract	$2,137
Bolton's Landing	$2,041
Mt Royall - Harrington Place	$1,921
Essex Farms - Carolina Bay	$1,824
Dupont Area - Orleans	$1,684
Savage Road - Citadel Mall	$1,664
Drayton Quarters - Magwood	$1,619
Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens	$1,559
Huntington Woods - Orange Grove	$1,437
Ashely Hall Plantation	$1,419
St. Andrews - Forest	$1,399

Charleston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood

Rent in Ashely Hall Plantation is 30% lower than in Bolton's Landing

$1,419

Ashely Hall Plantation rent is 34% lower than Charleston average

Average Rent $1,419

$2,041

Bolton's Landing rent is 4% lower than Charleston average

Average Rent $2,041

How Charleston Compares to Other Cities

City	Average Rent
Charleston	$2,137
Columbia	$1,502
Greenville	$1,595
Summerville	$1,717
Myrtle Beach	$1,629
Spartanburg	$1,235
Florence	$1,275
Aiken	$1,365
Fort Mill	$1,694
Beaufort	$1,703
Rock Hill	$1,459
North Charleston, SC	$1,561
Goose Creek, SC	$1,748
Ladson	$1,649
North Charleston	$1,727
Hanahan, SC	$1,407
Georgetown, SC	$1,573
Port Royal, SC	$1,534
Hilton Head Island, SC	$3,015

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.