
Cheap Short Term Lease Apartments for Rent in Charleston, SC from $300 (32 Rentals)
Short Term Rental Options.
Cheap Apartments in Charleston.


1800 Ashley West Apartments

Palmetto Square

The Jaunt

The Riverview

Palmetto Grove

Boltons Landing

Sabal Palms
Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Create a productive work-from-home apartment setup, even in a small space or studio. Discover layout ideas, desk solutions, and organization tips that actually work.

Bees Ferry

Atlantic Palms

The Avenues of West Ashley

Total Monthly Price
1000 West

Paxton Point Hope

Channel Family Apartment Homes

Palmilla Apartments

The Retreat at Palm Pointe - SMP
What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

KRC Greenwood

Oakbrook Village

Latitude at Wescott

Avian Place Apartments

Cedar Grove

Silvana Oaks

4830 Wescott

Kilnsea Village
Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between
Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

Reserve at Wescott

Sage at Ingleside

Brackenbrook

The Harrison

The Wilder

Vesta Creeks Run Townhomes and Apartments

The Edge on Noisette Creek Apartments

Legends at Charleston Park
When Life Happens: Your Options for Ending a Rental Lease Early
Unexpected life events can force you to break your lease. Learn how to communicate with your landlord, negotiate a solution, and understand your legal options for early termination.
Charleston, SC Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Charleston?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Studio Apartments | $2,052 | $950 | $4,175 |
| Charleston 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,071 | $783 | $10,000+ |
| Charleston 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,402 | $960 | $10,000+ |
| Charleston 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,863 | $1,259 | $10,000+ |
| Charleston 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,113 | $1,179 | $8,490 |
| Charleston 5 Bedroom Apartments | $1,554 | $1,150 | $2,899 |
Explore Charleston

Charleston, SC Local Guide
- Charleston Neighborhoods
- Nearby Cities
- ZIP codes
- Local Counties
10 Hidden Costs of Renting You Should Budget for Before Signing a Lease
Avoid financial stress when renting. Learn about the 10 most common hidden costs—from pet fees to utilities—you must budget for before you sign a lease.
Read ArticleDon't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money
Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.
Read ArticleThe Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro
Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.
Read ArticleCash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting
Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.
Read ArticleQuick Rent Budget Calculator
How much rent can you afford?
The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.
Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:Location, Location, Location!
Explore Charleston, SC Rentals by Map
See the most popular apartments and homes in Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Area Reviews
Torin • 4+ years in Charleston
December 28, 2025Lived here all 31 years of life and it’s gotten unbearable for actual locals. Too many houses being built for the rich to move here without thought for the locals who do all of the actual work to keep the city working and functional. At 31 I can’t buy a house here on my $50,000 a year salary and I barely afford living since rent is $2,000+ a month for a 2-3 bedroom apartment which is how much I should be paying for a mortgage on a nice 3 bedroom house. Traffic is bad yeah no duh when all we do is build houses for more people to move here on streets that haven’t been updated since the 70s and 80s that’s just common sense! There’s no room for more so stop building apartments that cost tooo much and houses that are out of our budget with homes starting at $500,000 no one wants your cheap construction cookie cutter HOA crap neighborhoods but the wealthy and they are coming from out of state. Build me some brick classic ranch style neighborhoods no HOA and starting rate at $280,000.
Vicki • 4+ years in Charleston
February 25, 2025Charleston is a great place to live and work. It's a beautiful coastal area with lots of things to see and do. The downside to living in Charleston is the traffic! The combination of locals and tourists on the roads make it almost impossible to get around. It's also a bit pricey to live in the Holy City...but the charm, views, laid back lifestyle, and Southern hospitality cannot be beat!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Charleston Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Charleston?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Charleston is under $1,076.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Charleston?
The cheapest apartment in Charleston is Icon @ Park Circle which is listed at $975, while the average apartment in Charleston costs $3,752.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Charleston?
Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 2,886 regular apartments in Charleston that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.
How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Charleston?
Cheap apartments in Charleston have an average cost of $831 which is $2,921 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Charleston.
Expert Rental Resources
The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.
Articles, How-To's, and Tips

A Local Expert’s Guide To 10 Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Charleston
Written by: Vicki Shivers
Hey, y’all, I'm Vicki, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Charleston, SC. I’m proud to say I’m a native Charlestonian who loves Low Country living and the laid-back lifestyle of living on the SC coast.

Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much
Written by: Lauren Harrington
This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.

Maximizing Your Refund: Essential Tax Tips for Renters
Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.
Other than tax professionals, I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to tax season. For everybody else, April is a stressful month to collect information and meet deadlines.