
Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Neighborhood of Charleston, SC from $800 (34 Rentals)
Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in the Downtown area of Charleston.


154 Smith St

The Jasper

511 Meeting

3 Woolfe St, Unit B

89 Fishburne St

6 Trapman St, Unit C

LC Line & Low
Charleston's Best Affordable Neighborhoods
Learn about Charleston and the best places to live with original content written by our Charleston, SC Local Expert Vicki Shivers

Total Monthly Price
The Guild

38 Ashe St

235 King St

Total Monthly Price
19 Hampden Ct, Unit A

279 Coming St

The Charleigh

Total Monthly Price
Laurel, A Collective

350 King St, Unit 204
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Williams Terrace- Independant Senior Living

19 Hampden Ct

The Abbey

272 Coming St

75 Society St

145 Saint Philip St

23 Archdale St

Cornerstone Apartment Homes
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23L

192 E Bay St

259 E Bay St

335 King St

Lord Arms Apartments

279 Coming St

45 Drake St

73 Pitt St
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The Baker House

100 Morris St
Downtown, Charleston, SC Local Guide

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Downtown?
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Studio Apartments | $2,661 | $1,850 | $4,513 |
| Downtown 1 Bedroom Apartments | $3,665 | $1,500 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown 2 Bedroom Apartments | $5,486 | $1,585 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown 3 Bedroom Apartments | $9,391 | $1,455 | $10,000+ |
| Downtown 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,726 | $1,265 | $7,900 |
Browse Apartments in this Neighborhood
There are currently 34 rentals with your search options within a 2 mile radius of the Downtown Neighborhood of Charleston, SC.
See all Apartments in CharlestonExplore Charleston
Downtown, Charleston, SC Local Guide
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Cheapest Available Downtown Apartments for Rent
 The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown area of Charleston, SC is a 3 Beds unit found at 19 Hampden Ct priced from $1,099. Yugo Charleston Campus has the second lowest priced unit, which is a 2 Beds apartment currently listed from $1,499. Here are the most affordable Downtown apartments for rent in Charleston, SC:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Priced From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Hampden Ct | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,1BA | $1,099 |
| Yugo Charleston Campus | 2 Bed, 1 Bath Classic | 2BR,1BA | $1,499 |
| 89 Fishburne St | 1 Bedroom | 1BR,1BA | $2,050 |
| Summit Place | Studio - S2 | Studio,1BA | $2,055 |
| 511 Meeting | 1D | 1BR,1BA | $2,085 |
| LC Line & Low | STUDIO TYPE A | Studio,1BA | $2,350 |
| Laurel, A Collective | S2.B | Studio,1BA | $2,446 |
| The Charleigh | A1C | 1BR,1BA | $2,577 |
Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown, SC
As of August 20, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown area is the $2.13 price per square foot Manor Home Model at 655 East Bay in the in the North Central neighborhood starting from $5,499. The second greatest value Downtown apartment is the 159 Alexander St Model at 159 Alexander St, Unit 159 Alexander Apt. B starting at $4,500 with a $2.50 price per square foot in the North Central neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown apartments based on price per square foot:
| Apartment Listing | Model Name | Bed/Bath | Price Per Sq.Ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 655 East Bay | Manor Home | 3BR,2BA | $2.13 |
| 159 Alexander St, Unit 159 Alexander Apt. B | 159 Alexander St | 4BR,2BA | $2.50 |
| 19 Hampden Ct | 3 Bedroom | 3BR,1.5BA | $0.85 |
| 16 Reid St | 16 Reid St | 3BR,1.5BA | $2.54 |
| 123 Coming St, Unit C | 123 Coming St | 3BR,1BA | $2.78 |
| Hoffler Place | D3 | 4BR,4BA | $1.41 |
| 19 Hampden Ct, Unit A | 19 Hampden Ct | 3BR,1BA | $2.46 |
| 511 Meeting | 1D | 1BR,1BA | $2.88 |
| 119 Smith St, Unit 3 | 119 Smith St | 1BR,1BA | $2.31 |
| Yugo Charleston Campus | 2 Bed, 1 Bath Classic | 2BR,1BA | $2.54 |
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.
Read ArticleReal Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University
From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.
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.
Pet Friendly LifestyleDowntown, Charleston, SC
Ranked #29
Among cities in South Carolina for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.
Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score
3.5Pet Friendly
Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Apartments
What is a cheap apartment in Downtown?
A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown is under $2,577.
What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown?
The cheapest apartment in Downtown is 89 Fishburne St which is listed at $2,050, while the average apartment in Downtown costs $3,875.
What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown?
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 19 regular apartments in Downtown 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?
Cheap apartments in Downtown have an average cost of $522 which is $3,353 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown.
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

Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Charleston
Written by: Vicki Shivers
Hey, y’all, I'm Vicki, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Charleston, SC. I also happen to be a native Charlestonian who attended the College of Charleston back in the day.

Rent According to Income: A Look at Income-Restricted Rentals
Written by: Robin Stewart
The idea of affordable housing can be subjective. Every individual is in a different place financially and vocationally. What one may easily afford could be a struggle for someone else.

Practical Tips for Renters: How to Identify a Great Rental and Avoid Red Flags
Written by: Robin Stewart
Renters want to find a great apartment, the right place for them, one that checks all the boxes of location, rental cost, amenities, safety, and more.

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Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.