Average Rent in Sumter, SC↑ Rents rising 5.1% YoY

Sumter, SC has rental prices ranging from $839/month to $1,719/month in 2025, depending on unit size. The typical 1-bedroom apartment rents for $951/month — 32% below the national average of $1,400/month. With a median household income of $55,990/year, spending $951/month on a 1-bedroom represents 20% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold.

How Sumter Compares

With an average 2-bedroom rent of $1,224/month, Sumter ranks #7 most expensive of the 38 cities tracked in South Carolina — pricier than 83% of all US cities in our data.

The Sumter Rental Market

The Sumter, SC area has a population of about 104,853 and 33% of households renting rather than owning. That is close to the US average renter share of ~34%.

Rent Trends

2-bedroom rents in Sumter, SC have risen by $59/month (5.1%) over the past year, from $1,165 to $1,224. This modest growth is consistent with broader inflationary trends seen across US rental markets.

Affordability

To afford a 1-bedroom apartment in Sumter, SC without exceeding the 30% housing cost guideline, a renter needs an annual income of approximately $38,040. The local median household income of $55,990 exceeds that threshold by $17,950, making Sumter relatively accessible compared to local wages.

Rent vs. Buy

The median home value in Sumter, SC is $215,942, giving a price-to-rent ratio of 14.7. The break-even point between renting and buying is roughly 15 years — renting offers more flexibility for shorter stays, while buying makes more sense for long-term residents.

Is Sumter, SC Affordable?

Income needed to rent or buy, price history, and how this city compares to nearby metros.

Rent or Buy in Sumter?

Break-even analysis and mortgage estimates based on local market data.

Living in Sumter

Cost of living, job market, crime rates, and moving cost estimates.