What is the average apartment size in Charleston?

The average size for a Charleston, SC apartment is 978 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 Feb / 2026, the average rent in Charleston is $2,044 per month, a 0.07% increase from last years average of $2,042.

How much does rent cost by apartment size in Charleston?

In Charleston, studios rent for $1,948 per month, one-bedroom units average $1,848 per month, two-bedrooms cost around $2,093 per month, and three-bedroom apartments rent for about $2,493 per month

What is the average apartment size in Charleston?

The typical apartment in Charleston offers about 978 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 602 sq. ft., one-bedrooms offer 766 sq. ft., two-bedrooms are about 1,100 sq. ft., and three-bedroom apartments average 1,360 sq. ft.

What are the most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston?

The most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston are East Central Charleston ($2,811/month), Cannonborough - Elliottborough ($3,682/month), and Downtown Charleston ($4,070/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 49% 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.

Q: What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Charleston?

The most affordable neighborhoods in Charleston include Ashely Hall Plantation ($1,446/month), Huntington Woods - Orange Grove ($1,516/month), and Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens ($1,526/month), all below the citywide average of $2,044.

Last updated: March 30, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau

Highlights

The average rent for an apartment in Charleston is $2,044, a 0.07% increase compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,042.

Studio Apartments at $1,948 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 $1,848, balancing privacy and affordability.

Two-beedroom units at $2,093 offer 1,100 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.

Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,360 sq ft) for $2,493, suitable for larger households.

Average rent in Charleston, SC

Last updated: March 30, 2026

	Average Rent	Average Apartment Size
All Rentals	$2,044	978 sq. ft.
Studio	$1,948	602 sq. ft.
1 Bed	$1,848	766 sq. ft.
2 Beds	$2,093	1,100 sq. ft.
3 Beds	$2,493	1,360 sq. ft.

Charleston, SC rent trends

Rental prices in Charleston, SC have increased by 0.07% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,042 to $2,044.

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

The largest share of rentals in Charleston, SC (49%) 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?

Ashely Hall Plantation $1,446/month

Huntington Woods - Orange Grove $1,516/month

Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens $1,526/month

All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,044/month.

Most expensive neighborhoods in Charleston?

East Central Charleston $2,811/month

Cannonborough - Elliottborough $3,682/month

Downtown Charleston $4,070/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	$4,070
Cannonborough - Elliottborough	$3,682
East Central Charleston	$2,811
Westside Charleston	$2,542
Meeting St Manor - Cooper River Court	$2,471
Silver Hill - Magnolia	$2,242
Daniel Island	$2,151
Riverland Woods - Dill Tract	$2,133
Cross Creek - Dogwood Park	$2,103
Bolton's Landing	$1,949
Mt Royall - Harrington Place	$1,856
Essex Farms - Carolina Bay	$1,760
Dupont Area - Orleans	$1,670
Savage Road - Citadel Mall	$1,660
Drayton Quarters - Magwood	$1,618
St. Andrews - Forest	$1,526
Village Square - Pinecrest Gardens	$1,526
Huntington Woods - Orange Grove	$1,516
Ashely Hall Plantation	$1,446

Charleston | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood

Rent in Ashely Hall Plantation is 26% lower than in Bolton's Landing

$1,446

Ashely Hall Plantation rent is 29% lower than Charleston average

Average Rent $1,446

$1,949

Bolton's Landing rent is 5% lower than Charleston average

Average Rent $1,949

How Charleston Compares to Other Cities

City	Average Rent
Charleston	$2,044
Columbia	$1,490
Summerville	$1,658
Greenville	$1,558
Spartanburg	$1,217
Myrtle Beach	$1,604
Aiken	$1,321
Beaufort	$1,726
Rock Hill	$1,448
Fort Mill	$1,705
Hardeeville	$1,940
North Charleston, SC	$1,521
Goose Creek, SC	$1,767
Ladson	$1,622
North Charleston	$1,723
Hanahan, SC	$1,415
Port Royal, SC	$1,429
Georgetown, SC	$1,589
Hilton Head Island, SC	$2,822
Okatie, SC	$1,935
Ridgeland, SC	$1,676

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.