Rows tagged local are specific to Charleston (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Charleston, SC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 5/10 (district Charleston 01 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
101.1
metro-area
#148 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
95.9
metro-area
#69 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.75
metro-area
#148 of 200 metros
Median household income
$83,891
local
#1625 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$49,497
local
#1229 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
38.1 years
metro-area
#88 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
40.0%
metro-area
#41 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.3%
metro-area
#139 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
68.7%
metro-area
#62 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.65%
local
#837 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+14.3%
local
#440 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$438,900
local
#2169 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.2×
local
#2469 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-0.9%
metro-area
#155 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$219
local
#1973 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,517
local
#1749 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
6,439
Median days on market
38
metro-area
#177 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.9%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
7.44%
state
#103 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
6.20%
Capital gains tax
6.40%
state
#140 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.45%
local
#116 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,990
local
#663 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
77.2 years
metro-area
#79 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
9.8%
metro-area
#123 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
78
metro-area
#91 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$40
state
#4 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.33% of value (~$652/yr)
state
#186 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
23 min
local
#712 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
75.5%
metro-area
#102 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
42.4%
metro-area
#173 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.1¢/kWh
state
#107 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$154
state
#107 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.05/gal
state
#45 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$56
state
#51 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$97
state
#88 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
96.5 — Relatively High
metro-area
#160 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#152 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
44
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,000
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
95%
state
#27 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,000
metro-area
#44 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
22
metro-area
#88 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
91°F
metro-area
#136 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
36°F
metro-area
#71 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
51.0"
metro-area
#167 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
1.0"
metro-area
#57 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
62%
metro-area
#64 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
530
state
#180 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#173 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
24
metro-area
#150 of 200 metros
Parks
33
Hiking areas
10
Golf courses
21
Shooting ranges
5
Lakes
2
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.