Can a renter run a short-term rental in Charleston?

Only on commercially zoned property inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay District. Residential short-term rentals must be the owner's primary residence.

What rent can a Charleston unit carry?

At the market averages, about $5,870 keeps a 20% margin and about $7,640 breaks even. Those ceilings are lifted by beach homes; price a city unit from comparable downtown listings.

How much does an average Charleston short-term rental earn?

AirDNA's Charleston market averaged a $434.40 daily rate at 63% occupancy over the last 12 months, with annual revenue of about $80,000. The market covers the wider area, which can include beach towns.

What are the rules in the Old and Historic District?

A property must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places to qualify for short-term renting.

What taxes apply in Charleston?

South Carolina's 5% sales tax plus a 2% state accommodations tax on stays under 90 days, plus city and county accommodations and hospitality taxes.

Rental Arbitrage in Charleston, SC

Researched by RentalArbitrage AdminData as of: September 2026

Not yet researched

We have not published a sourced legal page for this city yet. Check the city's official short-term rental rules and your lease before relying on the numbers below.

Average daily rate: $434.40
Occupancy: 63%
Annual revenue potential: $80,000

Source: AirDNA Figures for the Charleston market, trailing 12 months, as of September 2026. Markets are metro areas, not city limits.

How Much Rent Can a Unit Here Carry?

Most rent that breaks even: $7,638
Rent that leaves a 20% margin: $5,865

At the market's average rate and occupancy, a unit books about 19.2 nights and $8,862 a month. The ceiling assumes 3-night stays, an $85 cleaning fee against a $75 clean, a 3% platform fee and $480 a month for bills, insurance, supplies and software. Market averages include every listing size, so a one-bedroom usually earns less. Treat these as upper limits for a lease negotiation, not targets.

Run the Numbers for Charleston, SC

Pre-filled with the market's rate and occupancy, and a rent at the 20% margin ceiling. Replace the rent with the real asking rent of the unit you're considering.

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The Charleston, SC Market

AirDNA's Charleston market averaged a $434.40 daily rate at 63% occupancy over the last 12 months, about 19.2 booked nights and $8,900 of booking income a month. That rate is the highest on this site; the market covers the wider area, which can include beach towns with large vacation homes, so an apartment in the city will earn far less.
Inside the City of Charleston, a residential short-term rental must be the owner's full-time primary residence. A renter's only route is a commercially zoned property inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay District, and the Old and Historic District has tighter limits. Check the exact parcel's zoning before you talk to a landlord.

What a Unit Can Earn

At the market averages, a unit breaks even at about $7,640 a month in rent and keeps a 20% margin at about $5,870. Treat these as a ceiling inflated by beach houses; price a city unit from comparable downtown listings.

Startup Costs

At a $5,850 rent, expect roughly $20,100 before the first booking: a one-month deposit, the first month's rent, about $7,500 of furnishing and $900 of setup. Add a cushion of a few months of costs. Work it out properly with the startup cost calculator.

Risks to Weigh

Residential areas are owner-occupied only
Commercial rentals only inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay District
Market averages are lifted by beach towns outside the city
Fines of $500 to $2,000 for each week of a violation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Renter Run a Short-Term Rental in Charleston?: Only on commercially zoned property inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay District. Residential short-term rentals must be the owner's primary residence.
What Rent Can a Charleston Unit Carry?: At the market averages, about $5,870 keeps a 20% margin and about $7,640 breaks even. Those ceilings are lifted by beach homes; price a city unit from comparable downtown listings.
How Much Does an Average Charleston Short-Term Rental Earn?: AirDNA's Charleston market averaged a $434.40 daily rate at 63% occupancy over the last 12 months, with annual revenue of about $80,000. The market covers the wider area, which can include beach towns.
What Are the Rules in the Old and Historic District?: A property must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places to qualify for short-term renting.
What Taxes Apply in Charleston?: South Carolina's 5% sales tax plus a 2% state accommodations tax on stays under 90 days, plus city and county accommodations and hospitality taxes.