Apartments for rent in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

On the move

Public transport

Public transit in the town is run by CARTA, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority, which operates fixed bus routes across the East Cooper area. Several lines serve Mount Pleasant, including routes that connect Mount Pleasant Towne Centre and Coleman Boulevard with downtown Charleston and out toward the Isle of Palms County Park. You can review current maps, stops, and timetables on the CARTA maps and schedules page, and check fares and passes before you ride. Because the town is spread out, many residents pair the bus with a bike or car for longer trips.

Airports

The nearest major airport is Charleston International Airport (CHS), roughly a 20-to-30-minute drive west by way of Interstate 526 outside of peak traffic. As South Carolina's busiest airport, CHS offers nonstop service to destinations across the country, making it simple to fly out for work or a weekend away. Rideshare, taxis, and rental cars all link the terminal to the East Cooper area. The short, straightforward drive means Mount Pleasant residents skip much of the airport hassle that comes with larger metros.

Cars and driving

Getting around by car is the norm here, and two corridors do most of the work. US Highway 17 runs the length of the town from the Ravenel Bridge north toward Awendaw, threading past the main shopping and dining districts, while Interstate 526 (the Mark Clark Expressway) links Mount Pleasant to North Charleston, the airport, and West Ashley. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge carries you over the Cooper River into downtown Charleston in a matter of minutes. Traffic along Highway 17 can build during morning and evening commutes, so many residents time their trips and lean on the interstate for longer hauls.

Pedestrians and bicycles

For getting around on foot and by bike, the town's crown jewel is Wonders' Way, the shared pedestrian and bicycle path that climbs the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge with sweeping views from Folly Beach to the Isle of Palms. The path begins at Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park, where a harborside pier and lawn make an easy starting point for a run or an evening ride. Around Shem Creek and the Old Village, wide sidewalks and low-traffic lanes make short trips convenient without a car.

Your next job awaits

Mount Pleasant anchors the fast-growing East Cooper side of the Charleston region, with a local economy built on healthcare, education, retail, tourism, and government. Many residents commute across the Ravenel Bridge into downtown Charleston or out to North Charleston's manufacturing hubs, but a deep bench of employers sits right here in town. Whatever your field, the area offers a genuine range of opportunities close to home.

Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the town's largest employers, anchored by East Cooper Medical Center, a full-service hospital now part of the Novant Health system offering emergency, surgical, cardiac, and maternity care.

Regional hospitals

A short drive across the bridge, Trident Medical Center in North Charleston adds a large HCA Healthcare hospital with a trauma center and specialty programs, expanding the region's healthcare job base.

Education

The public school system is a major local employer through Charleston County School District, which staffs the elementary, middle, and high schools serving Mount Pleasant residents.

Retail and dining

Shopping and restaurants drive a large share of local jobs, led by Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, an open-air center with more than 60 stores, eateries, and a movie theater near the junction of Highway 17 and I-526.

Tourism and hospitality

Tourism keeps hotels, restaurants, and attractions busy year-round, with landmarks like Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and supporting a steady base of hospitality work.

Agriculture and agritourism

One of the country's oldest working farms, Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens grows seasonal produce and hosts festivals, tours, and events that make agritourism a distinctive local industry.

Government

As one of South Carolina's largest municipalities, the Town of Mount Pleasant employs staff across public safety, recreation, planning, and public works, making local government a reliable source of jobs.

Higher education and workforce training

For career training and continuing education, Trident Technical College runs a Mount Pleasant campus near Highway 17 and I-526, offering transferable courses and workforce programs alongside teaching and staff roles.

Education for every age

Residents in the town are served by Charleston County School District, the countywide public system that operates the elementary, middle, and high schools across Mount Pleasant. Among them is Wando High School, one of the largest high schools in the state, known for its Advanced Placement offerings, arts, and athletics. Beyond the classroom, the Wando Mount Pleasant Library offers programs, meeting space, and resources for all ages. For higher education, the Trident Technical College Mount Pleasant campus provides two-year and transfer pathways close to home, while the College of Charleston, a public liberal arts university, sits just across the bridge in historic downtown Charleston.

Out and about

There is always something to do east of the Cooper. Whether you want a plate of fried shrimp over the water, a walk through a maritime forest, a beach afternoon, or a stroll among centuries-old oaks, the town keeps it all close by. Here are a few favorites to get you started.

Our top picks

Shem Creek Park

This town park centers on a 2,200-foot boardwalk that winds over the marsh and creek, with front-row views of working shrimp boats, dolphins, and passing kayaks. It is a favorite spot to catch the sunset, fish, or launch a paddleboard, and it connects to the waterfront restaurants along Coleman Boulevard.

Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

Set at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge, this harborside park features a 1,250-foot pier with bench swings, a nautical-themed playground, and a wide lawn made for picnics. It is also the trailhead for Wonders' Way and home to the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, which celebrates the region's sweetgrass basket-making tradition.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

One of the town's signature attractions, Patriots Point is home to the WWII aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the destroyer USS Laffey, and the Medal of Honor Museum. Open daily, it offers hours of self-guided exploration across the ships and exhibits, with harbor views of the Charleston skyline.

Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens

Approached down its famous Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall is one of America's oldest working farms, dating to 1681. Visitors can tour the gardens and grounds, pick seasonal produce, and take in the acclaimed presentation on Gullah history and culture that grounds the site's story.

Palmetto Islands County Park

This Charleston County park spreads across acres of Lowcountry marsh and maritime forest, laced with paved trails and boardwalks. Highlights include a 50-foot observation tower, a big-toy playground, the seasonal Splash Island water park, and kayak access to Horlbeck Creek, making it a full-day outing for all ages.

The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene

A no-frills institution overlooking Shem Creek in the Old Village, The Wreck serves classic Lowcountry seafood in a former bait locker with a screened porch over the water. Come for the fried shrimp, she-crab soup, and boiled peanuts, and plan to wait, since the beloved spot does not take reservations.

Westbrook Brewing Company

A local craft brewery on Ridge Road, Westbrook pours rotating taps in an air-conditioned taproom with an outdoor beer garden. Known nationally for its Gose, it is an easy place to gather with friends over a flight and grab cans or crowlers to take home.

Isle of Palms beach

Just across the connector from Mount Pleasant, the Isle of Palms offers miles of wide public beach for swimming, sunning, and kayaking. The city maintains beach access points and a county park with parking and facilities, making a coastal afternoon a quick drive from town.