City profile
Charleston, SC
A historic coastal gem with rich Gullah culture, world-class dining, and beautiful architecture.
Climate
Climate type
Humid subtropical
Winter avg
51°F
Summer avg
82°F
Sunny days / yr
230
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$420,000
Typical monthly housing
$2,300
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
108
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- State income tax (top)
- 6.2%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.50%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 99/100
Top hazards: Coastal flooding, Hurricane, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
9 mi to Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Competitive / purple · 51% Democratic / 48% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
154,338
Growth since 2019
+14.1%
Median age
36.6
Residents 65+
16.6%
Median household income
$92,414
Income growth since 2019
+35.0%
Black household income
$45,147
Home ownership
55.6%
Poverty rate
12.3%
Poverty rate, 65+
7.5%
Race & ethnicity: Black 15.8% · White 71.7% · Hispanic 6.1% · Asian 1.9% · Other 4.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
281 · 15% below the national average
Property crime
1,613 · about the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Charleston Police Department. State average: violent 390, property 1,717.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸SC is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast)
Highlights
- Rich Gullah-Geechee heritage
- Award-winning food scene
- Beautiful beaches and waterways
- Low property taxes
Trade-offs
- Higher home prices
- Flooding and hurricane risk
- Tourism-heavy downtown
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.