Cost of Living in Berkeley County, South Carolina

$1,518/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$280,300

Median Home Value

61% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,518/mo

61% above state average

Median Home Value

$280,300

1% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

29.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Berkeley County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Berkeley County$1,518/mo

South Carolina Average$945/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,518/mo

Median Gross Rent

$280,300

Median Home Value

$1,260/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

29.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley's affordability masks rising costs

Berkeley County residents earn $82,327—10% above the national average—yet spend 22.1% on rent, above typical national thresholds. With median rent at $1,518, Berkeley reflects growth pressures in the Charleston metropolitan region, where housing costs climb faster than incomes.

Above-average costs in South Carolina

Berkeley's median rent of $1,518 runs 60% above South Carolina's average of $945, and its 22.1% rent-to-income ratio tops the state average of 20.1%. Berkeley ranks among South Carolina's pricier counties, driven by proximity to Charleston's booming job market.

Pricier than Anderson, slightly less than Beaufort

Berkeley's $1,518 rent runs $566 above Anderson County's $952 but stays $34 below Beaufort's $1,484, positioning it as the second-most expensive rental market regionally. Median home values of $280,300 sit below Beaufort's coastal premium but well above inland alternatives.

Higher incomes stretched by steep costs

Berkeley households earning $82,327 allocate 22.1% to rent or roughly 18.4% to mortgage costs, among the steepest regional burdens despite above-average incomes. Growth in the Charleston area has driven housing costs up faster than wages, squeezing even higher-earning households.

Berkeley attracts Charleston-area commuters

Relocating to Berkeley offers Charleston job access with slightly lower costs than the city proper, though $1,518 rent and $280,300 homes still demand solid six-figure household income. Compare Berkeley to more affordable Anderson or Aiken to weigh commute time against housing savings.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Berkeley County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

22.1%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,921

per month

Owner Cost Burden

18.4%

of gross income

The median home in Berkeley County may be a stretch

Median home value is $280,300. Estimated monthly cost: $2,238 vs. your max of $1,921.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio22.1%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Berkeley County, South Carolina?

Berkeley County, South Carolina has a median monthly rent of $1,518/mo and a median home value of $280,300. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 29.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Berkeley County?

The median gross rent in Berkeley County is $1,518/mo. This is 61% above state average for South Carolina.

Is Berkeley County affordable?

Berkeley County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 29.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Berkeley County's rent compare to the state average?

Berkeley County's median rent of $1,518/mo is 61% above state average of $945/mo for South Carolina.

What is the median home value in Berkeley County?

The median home value in Berkeley County, South Carolina is $280,300. This is 1% below the national median home value of $281,900.