Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Charleston Neighborhood of Charleston, SC from $800 (54 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown Charleston area of Charleston.

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.

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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.

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Atlantic on Romney
Rent Specials
$1,973 - $3,533
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$1,973 - $3,533
Total Monthly Price
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

Atlantic on Romney

55 Romney StCharleston, SC 29403
Corporate Housing
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35 Folly Apartments
Rent Specials
$2,020 - $6,484
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$2,020 - $6,484
Total Monthly Price
$2,020 - $6,484
1 to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

35 Folly Apartments

35 Folly Rd BlvdCharleston, SC 29407
Active Lifestyle
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The Guild
Rent Specials
$2,163 - $8,675
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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$2,163 - $8,675
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

The Guild

128 Columbus StCharleston, SC 29403
Work From Home
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10 WestEdge
Rent Specials
$2,167 - $7,282
Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

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$2,167 - $7,282
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Studio to 2 Bedroom Apartments Available Now

10 WestEdge

10 Westedge StCharleston, SC 29403
Student Housing
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Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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property at 29 Kennedy St

$2,300 - $4,300

1 To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Jul 1

29 Kennedy St

CharlestonSC29403
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The Abbey
Studio to 3 Bedroom Apartments

The Abbey

2 Percy StCharleston, SC 29403
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Hampton West
Studio to 1 Bedroom Apartments

Hampton West

554 Rutledge AveCharleston, SC 29403
Senior Living
  • Utilities Included

The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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property at 14 Lockwood Dr

$1,995 - $2,550

Studio To 2 Bedroom Rentals

Available Now

14 Lockwood Dr

CharlestonSC29401

Smart Renter's Guide: Calculating Affordable Rent & Housing Costs

Wondering how to determine your rental budget? This comprehensive guide covers everything from the 30% rule to hidden fees and effective budgeting strategies.

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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 2

Downtown Charleston, Charleston, SC Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Charleston Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Charleston area of Charleston, SC is a Studio unit found at Archer School Apartments priced from $1,028. The Merchant has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $1,516. Here are the most affordable Downtown Charleston apartments for rent in Charleston, SC:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Archer School ApartmentsStudioStudio,1BA$1,028
The MerchantAnsonStudio,1BA$1,516
Sky Garden Apartments4 Bed 4 Bath B14BR,4BA$1,699
The PorterS3Studio,1BA$1,725
Element 29A02Studio,1BA$1,731
Bee Street2 Bedroom2BR,2BA$1,800
CormacS1Studio,1BA$1,827
Morrison YardThe BluestoneStudio,1BA$1,913
CarolineS1Studio,1BA$1,948

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Charleston, SC

As of April 23, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Charleston area is the $2.50 price per square foot 40 Poinsett St Model at 40 Poinsett St, Unit A in the in the West Ashley neighborhood starting from $5,000. The second greatest value Downtown Charleston apartment is the 2128 Courtland Ave Model at 2128 Courtland Ave, Unit C starting at $2,800 with a $2.33 price per square foot in the West Ashley neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Charleston apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
40 Poinsett St, Unit A40 Poinsett St4BR,3BA$2.50
2128 Courtland Ave, Unit C2128 Courtland Ave2BR,1BA$2.33
15 Sires St15 Sires St2BR,2BA$2.80
107 Hanover St, Unit A107 Hanover St2BR,2BA$2.78
8 Hagood Ave, Unit 8A Hagood ave8 Hagood Ave1BR,1BA$1.89
655 East BayB22BR,1BA$2.67
Sky Garden Apartments2 Bed 2 Bath A2BR,2BA$2.44
The Rumney031BR,1BA$2.63
Meeting Street LoftsWoodburn II1BR,1BA$2.74
Element 29A51BR,1BA$2.87

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.

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Don'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.

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The 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.

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Cash 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.

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Quick 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.

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Charleston, Charleston, SC

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

This website is proud to bring you Lifestyle Ratings of rentals and neighborhoods across the USA, and customized analysis for Charleston, South Carolina. LifeStyle Ratings are a useful tool for comparing and sorting apartments and neighborhoods when choosing your rental home. This takes in many factors including filtering automatically for convenient access to the outdoors, luxury housing options, pet-friendly features, family-friendliness, proximity to transit, and how walkable or bikeable each community and area is. Use Lifestyle Search in the site filter options on this page - and find your Perfect place!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Charleston Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Charleston?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Charleston is under $1,948.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Charleston?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Charleston is Archer School Apartments which is listed at $1,490, while the average apartment in Downtown Charleston costs $3,438.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 113 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown Charleston?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Charleston have an average cost of $951 which is $2,487 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.