Moving to Charleston, SC

Charleston At-A-Glance

Looking for a lovely small city to call home? Moving to Charleston, SC may be the best choice out there. It’s so good that it has been topping the Condé Nast Traveler list for over a decade now. Some readers like it for its culture and history, others for its food, but we think it’s the blend of all these that make up the Holy City charm. And although we call it small, it’s still the largest city in South Carolina, make no mistake.

While those who travel here sure want to linger for more than just a vacation, only about 150,000 people are lucky enough to call it home and enjoy its waterfront views and cobblestone streets all year round. Join them with confidence and see what else the South’s Best has to offer.

A Small City for All Ages

Picturesque beaches, sidewalks and state homes aside, Charleston offers its visitors and residents quite a culinary treat. Diverse, accessible and high-quality food is everywhere, there’s a growing dining scene, and you won’t get enough of the Charleston Wine + Food Festival that happens here for five days every March. Not a big wine fan? Not a problem. The Holy City is also known for the South’s best brewery: Palmetto.

Now, it may not be an ethnically diverse city, but it sure makes up for it by making everyone feel cozy and welcome. Young or old, everyone stands something to gain from moving to Charleston, SC, where age really is just a number. You get a great college town with a fun social environment and a lot going on, a healthy job market that makes it one of the best cities to start a career, plus it’s an affordable place to retire, with lots of ways to spend leisure time once you hang up your spurs.

Transitioning out of the military? Moving to Charleston, SC is still the top answer out there. Blame it on the greenspaces and trails that keep you active, the reasonable housing and living costs and, of course, the large military community in the area.

Charleston: Comfort Without the Cost

Over 2,750 miles across the country from Silicon Valley lies… Silicon Harbor as Charleston is also known. Other popular industries here? Well, there’s tourism, of course, then the port and maritime sector, aerospace (thanks to companies like Boeing) and the medical industry. With installations like Joint Base Charleston, there’s a significant military presence here too.

That’s quite a diverse scene that provides stability and resilience to the local economy. Plus, local educational institutions create many job opportunities and attract a high number of students to the area, so it’s a win for all.

Now, Charleston’s economic landscape is particularly appealing for those considering a move from larger cities on the East Coast, like New York and Washington D.C. Fleeing the hectic pace of big city life without sacrificing economic opportunities or lifestyle quality? Imagine the relief of moving to a city where the cost of living hovers around, or even slightly below, the national average. This is a stark contrast to the financial demands of living in the Big Apple, where Charleston’s cost of living is about 57% lower, or Washington D.C., where it’s around 30% lower.

And another thing: the financial well-being of Charleston’s residents outshines many others, both locally and nationally. With a median household income of around $84,000, Charlestonians enjoy a standard of living that surpasses the South Carolina state average by over 30% and even edges out the national median of around $75,000.

Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent (as of October 2023)

Average weekly wages for all industries in the Charleston area: $1,272 (Q1 2023)

High Value, High Demand in Charleston Homes

In Charleston, over half the folks — 55.6% to be exact —  have their name on a deed. Sure, more people own homes in South Carolina overall, but Charleston’s got its own rhythm. Maybe that’s because homes here are valued on average at $439,000. This figure is high if you compare it to the national median home value of around $282,000, but it’s tied to what these homes offer: a mix of modern living, Atlantic charm and a touch of history. And it’s still growing.

Now, for the renters among us, the scene’s a bit different. Averaging a little over $1,500 in rent might sound steep, especially considering South Carolina average rent, which is about 50% lower. But renters in the Holy City aren’t just paying for square footage. It’s location, lifestyle, and yes, a bit of that Charleston charm.

Despite these prices, know that the real estate market isn’t slowing down any time soon. It also offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to flip houses. Not because of renovation and remodeling costs, but the quality of life and the market potential.

Some are buying into a lifestyle and a community here. Others are choosing to rent in a city that’s always got something going on. Which one will you be?

Moving to Charleston, SC — But Where Exactly?

Are you after the urban buzz of the French Quarter or a tranquil corner like Mount Pleasant? Charleston isn’t just steeples and history, you know. Here’s a glimpse of the most popular neighborhood choices to call home, to help you decide:

Downtown Charleston. Right at the heart of it all, it just buzzes with energy. History is your next-door neighbor and the streets are always alive with activity.

Johns Island. This is where calm reigns. It’s laid-back, green and spacious — quite a retreat from the city’s rush while still being part of its charm.

James Island. How about blending Charleston’s roots with a dash of modern lifestyle? That’s if you’re looking for a common ground between historic charm and modern touches, of course.

Summerville. Cozy and convenient, this is the quieter side of Charleston. It offers a friendly, small-town atmosphere with the perk of being close to the city’s buzz.

You Need Four Wheels in Charleston

Given the population and city size, the traffic here is a bit surprising. The average travel time of 10 minutes for 5 miles is comparable to much larger cities like Austin and New Orleans and is even higher than Las Vegas or Houston. The upside is the mean time travel to work is only 23 minutes. Compared to the nearly 27 minutes that the U.S. as a whole needs, it seems like a good deal, wouldn’t you say?

But if you think you can get around better by walking, biking or hopping on public transportation, you’re only half right. The city has some bike infrastructure and Downtown Charleston is walkable, sure, but most errands in the city will still require a car because there’s minimal public transit available. The highlights would be the free DASH routes in the Historic Peninsula area of the city, and the airport shuttle connecting Downtown Charleston to Charleston International Airport, less than 15 miles NW.

Charleston is Ahead of the Education Game

Moving to Charleston, SC means you’ll be part of a very educated community, and the city has got a bit of a bragging right. That’s because almost 96% of adults here have obtained their high school diploma. That’s way ahead of the U.S. average of 89%, but still just the tip of the iceberg.

The cherry on top: over 57% of Charleston folks aged 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. That’s almost double the South Carolina average and well above the U.S. average of 34.3%. Seems like higher education isn’t just a phase here; it’s quite a culture.

Being a college town, Charleston’s got its fair share of higher ed options. First of all, you’ve got the College of Charleston, right in the heart of the city — around 10,000 students attend it every year. Then there’s The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, where discipline and academics go hand in hand.

Before you get to college, there’s high school and the best around is the Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston. It ranks in the top 10 in the nation.

To Sum Charleston Weather Up, It’s Subtropical Here

In Charleston, the weather’s pretty much what you’d want for outdoor fun most of the year, which is warm days. It does come with a hefty dose of humidity and pretty hot summers, but the city is close to the ocean, so you often get this cool breeze coming in.

Plus, winters are mild and you won’t find heavy snowfall here, just a chill in the air that won’t have you bundling up too much. Rain’s a thing, though. Charleston gets its fair share, especially in the summer, and hurricanes pose quite a threat too.

Summer average (June – Aug): 86℉ high, 76℉ low

Winter average (Dec – Feb): 60℉ high, 45℉ low

10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Charleston

You may have enjoyed visiting it in the past, but by moving to Charleston, SC, you get to have a true taste of all it stands for. Sure, you can still explore the historic downtown area and admire its well-preserved architecture, but here’s what else you could do in and around the city:

1. Visit Fort Sumter, the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. It is built on an artificial island and is accessible by a short ferry ride.
2. Stroll along The Battery, a historic defensive seawall, with picturesque views of Charleston Harbor.
3. Attend Spoleto Festival USA, one of America’s major performing arts festivals. It lasts for over two weeks in late spring and showcases opera, theater, dance and music for everyone to enjoy.
4. Visit Magnolia Plantation and Gardens every season. This is one of the oldest and most romantic gardens in the South, and the blooms change from camellias in early winter to azaleas in spring and gorgeous roses, hydrangeas and magnolia in summer.
5. Spend a day (or more) at Folly Beach. Lots of places here offer surf lessons and sailing experiences, plus you get to enjoy some fine beachfront dining.
6. Tour the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. This historic aircraft carrier is now a museum ship. You’ll get your fair share of insight into naval history, that’s for sure.
7. Drive or bike across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. It is an iconic cable-stayed bridge that offers panoramic views of the harbor. Sure, you can also go for a walk on it, but note that it is 2.5 miles long. Maybe it’s best that you stop at the halfway point, take pictures, then walk back.
8. Better yet, attend the Cooper River Bridge Run. This annual 10K run across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge attracts thousands of people each spring. You can participate or cheer on the runners, your choice 
9. Admire the Angel Oak on Johns Island. It is estimated to be over 400 years old and the park it is located in is free to access. Just don’t attempt to climb the tree or sit on its low branches — it’s strictly prohibited and the tree is under surveillance.
10. Visit the Charleston Tea Garden, America’s only tea plantation, located on Wadmalaw Island. It offers trolley and factory tours, so you can see both tea production and beautiful landscapes.