Cost of Living in Berkeley County, South Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Berkeley County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Berkeley County ranks #2,818 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 10%)
Sourced county brief
Berkeley County Median Gross Rent Estimated at $1,654
The median gross rent in Berkeley County was estimated at $1,654 per month, which is $669 above the South Carolina unweighted county mean of $985. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 30.8%. This percentage is 0.3 percentage points above the state unweighted county mean GRAPI of 30.5%. The median home value was $310,300, which is $110,567 above the state unweighted county mean of $199,733. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,276, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $791. Median renter-household income was recorded at $61,423, and the median income for all households was $84,358. The canonical rentToIncomePct of 30.8% is the official ACS B25071 GRAPI estimate. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Berkeley County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 30.8% of renter household income in Berkeley County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,654 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,276. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $66,160 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The South Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $985 per month. Berkeley County's $1,654 median is 68.0% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Berkeley County
Rent Burden
23.5%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,968
per month
Owner Cost Burden
18.2%
of gross income
The median home in Berkeley County may be a stretch
Median home value is $310,300. Estimated monthly cost: $2,477 vs. your max of $1,968.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Berkeley County, South Carolina?
What is the median rent in Berkeley County?
Is Berkeley County affordable?
How does Berkeley County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Berkeley County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Berkeley County, South Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Berkeley County
Whether you're buying in Berkeley County, South Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.