Charleston, South Carolina
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Charleston.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Charleston?
Charleston planning snapshot: population 157,665, housing index 138 (above the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $469,100, median rent $1,632, and income near $90,038. Expect 86°F summer highs, 46°F winter lows, and about 24-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 373.2 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 138U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $469,100U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,632U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $90,038U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 24 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 373.2per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 86°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Charleston compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 157,665City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $90,038Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year15% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 138ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year38% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $469,100City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year55% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,632City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year21% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 24 minNear U.S. avg (25 min)U.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 4011% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 373.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)36% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2259.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)27% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 86°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 46°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals12.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 44.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals34% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 263As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Charleston grew 30.6% from 120,700 in 2010 to 157,665 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Charleston expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Charleston runs 38 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 138 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $469,100 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,632 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Charleston?
Budget first around $1,632/month rent or $469,100 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $469,100
- Median rent $1,632/month
- Median household income $90,038
What is the job market like in Charleston?
Labor-market context for Charleston: unemployment 3.4% and median income $90,038. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $90,038
How long is the typical commute in Charleston?
Plan on roughly 24 minutes each way in Charleston. Walk Score estimates around 40 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 24 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 40/100
Is Charleston safer than similar U.S. cities?
Charleston's FBI-derived violent rate (~373.2/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 373.2 per 100k
- Property 2259.6 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Charleston?
Charleston's climate profile: 86°F summer peaks, 46°F winter mornings, 44.3" annual rainfall, and 263 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 86°F
- Winter low 46°F
- 44.3 in rain · 263 sunny days
Lowcountry humidity and inland Piedmont growth corridors both pull movers. Expect summer highs near 86°F and winter lows around 46°F. Average one-way commute time is about 24 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 40/100. Labor-market readings near 3.4% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. Violent-offense rates around 373.2 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Relocators eyeing Charleston, South Carolina will find roughly 157,665 residents within city limits. With median income around $90,038 and a cost index of 138, the market reads above the national housing-cost baseline. Budget for median rents around $1,632 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
Charleston is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Charleston with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Charleston city, 1600000US4513330) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Charleston County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013782 CHARLESTON CITY) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10
Canonical profile · All South Carolina cities · Full city index