Market Analysis
Charleston Rental Market
Rental investment market data and analysis · Updated November 2026
Median Home Price
$522,450
Average Monthly Rent
$2,016
Estimated Cap Rate
4.6%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
0.4%
Below 1% Rule
Rent ÷ price by zip code
0 of 4 clear the 1% rule · November 2026
| Zip | Median price | Median rent | Rent ÷ price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29406 | $299,900 | $1,588 | 0.53% |
| 29414 | $459,900 | $1,910 | 0.42% |
| 29407 | $585,000 | $1,766 | 0.30% |
| 29403 | $1,050,000 | $2,800 | 0.27% |
Rent ÷ price over time
PacRent rent-to-price index · Charleston
Context · FRED home price index
Market Trends
Charleston metro area — % change since 2018
Home Prices
+102.5%
Rent Index
+36.2%
Average Rent by Bedroom
| Bedrooms | Avg Rent |
|---|---|
| Condo | $1,888/mo |
| Apartment | $1,925/mo |
| Multi-Family | $1,994/mo |
| Townhouse | $2,225/mo |
| Single Family | $2,873/mo |
Sample Investment Analysis
Based on median price + average rent, 20% down, 6.8% rate, 30yr
Purchase Price$522,450
Down Payment (20%)$104,490
Monthly P&I$2,725
Monthly Rent$2,016
Est. NOI$14,515/yr
Est. Cash Flow-$1,515/mo
Cash on Cash-15.8%
The Charleston market is cash-flow negative at median prices. Look for properties 15-20% below median or with value-add potential.
What Investors Should Know About Charleston
- 1Compressed cap rates below 5% — focus on appreciation or value-add deals
- 21% Rule fails at median prices — need rent of $5,225/mo to pass
- 3Above-average rents support strong gross income per unit
- 4Premium market — higher capital requirements but potential for appreciation
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