Charleston County

South Carolina · SC

#44 in South Carolina
64.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston Exceeds National Averages in Key Areas

Charleston County's composite score of 64.1 sits above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 64th percentile nationally. Strong performance in health and income dimensions offset housing cost pressures in this growing coastal market.

Slightly Below South Carolina's Average

With a score of 64.1 versus South Carolina's state average of 68.2, Charleston ranks in the middle tier of state counties. Its performance is pulled down by housing costs despite advantages in income and health outcomes.

Strong Health Outcomes and Higher Incomes

Charleston's health score of 76.6 is among the state's strongest, reflecting robust medical infrastructure and lower disease burden. The county also boasts a median household income of $84,320—well above state averages—and maintains a favorable tax rate of 0.413%.

Housing Costs Create Real Affordability Pressures

The county's cost score of 56.9 reflects a median home value of $450,800 and median rent of $1,506/month—more than double comparable county averages. This makes Charleston significantly less affordable than most South Carolina counties despite higher incomes.

For Higher-Earning Professionals Seeking Urban Amenities

Charleston County is ideal for professionals and families with above-average incomes seeking vibrant urban living, excellent healthcare, and coastal access. It rewards earners willing to pay a housing premium for quality of life and economic opportunity.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax90.6Cost56.9SafetyComing SoonHealth76.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome38.4Risk1.4WaterComing Soon
🏛90.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠56.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼38.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
76.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
1.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Charleston County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Charleston County

via TaxByCounty

Charleston taxes below national average

Charleston's effective tax rate of 0.413% ranks among the lowest in the nation, falling well short of the U.S. median of 0.52%. Despite higher home values here, the county's median tax bill of $1,864 remains roughly one-third less than the national median of $2,690.

Charleston ranks second-lowest in state

With a 0.413% rate, Charleston is South Carolina's second-lowest taxed county, just behind Calhoun at 0.423%. Residents enjoy $75 less annual tax than the state median of $939, despite owning homes worth significantly more than their neighbors.

Best tax rate in the coastal region

Charleston's 0.413% rate sharply undercuts Colleton County's 0.605% and Clarendon County's 0.576%. Among growing coastal and Lowcountry counties, Charleston offers the clearest tax advantage to homeowners.

Higher values, moderate tax burden

Charleston's median home value of $450,800—the highest among these eight counties—results in a median property tax of $1,864 annually. With mortgage escrow, that bill climbs to roughly $1,968 per year.

Charleston homeowners should verify assessments

Even in low-tax Charleston, many properties are overassessed relative to comparable sales. Requesting a reassessment review from the county assessor costs nothing and could yield significant annual savings.

Cost of Living in Charleston County

via CostByCounty

Charleston's housing costs soar above U.S. average

Charleston renters spend 21.4% of income on housing—slightly above the national 20.1% threshold—with median rents at $1,506 monthly. Yet Charleston's median household income of $84,320 exceeds the national average of $74,755, suggesting higher-earning residents absorb these premium costs.

South Carolina's priciest county by far

Charleston's $1,506 median rent towers 59% above South Carolina's $945 average, reflecting its status as the state's economic and tourism engine. With a median home value of $450,800—triple the typical South Carolina property—Charleston ranks as the state's most expensive housing market.

Charleston dwarfs surrounding county rents

Renters in Charleston pay $1,506 monthly versus $813 in neighboring Cherokee County—an 85% difference that reflects Charleston's coastal desirability. Moving inland or north cuts housing costs nearly in half while remaining within South Carolina.

Owners and renters both stretch budgets

Charleston renters spend $1,506 monthly on housing while owners pay $1,568—remarkably balanced across tenure types—out of a $84,320 median income. For renters, this represents 21.4% of income; for owners, the burden reaches 22.3%, both above comfortable thresholds.

Charleston offers opportunity at a premium price

If you're earning above the county's $84,320 median and value coastal amenities and economic vitality, Charleston's market rewards your income. Consider comparing to inland alternatives like Calhoun or Chester for similar quality of life at significantly lower cost.

Income & Jobs in Charleston County

via IncomeByCounty

Charleston's income leads the Southeast

Charleston County's median household income of $84,320 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by more than $9,500. This strong performance reflects the county's role as South Carolina's economic engine, home to tourism, shipping, and financial services.

Clearly the state's income leader

Charleston's $84,320 median household income outpaces South Carolina's state average of $57,006 by $27,314—making it the clear statewide leader among 46 counties. The county's per capita income of $54,769 is 69% higher than the state average of $32,382.

Dominant income over surrounding counties

Charleston's $84,320 household income towers over adjacent counties like Berkeley ($N/A), Dorchester ($N/A), and Calhoun ($56,690). The regional income disparity reflects Charleston's concentration of higher-wage employment in tourism, healthcare, and professional services.

High incomes offset rising home values

Charleston's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% remains sustainable despite a median home value of $450,800—reflecting the county's ability to absorb rising real estate costs. Households here earn enough to weather the competitive housing market, though affordability remains a challenge for lower-income residents.

Leverage Charleston's wealth-building opportunities

Above-average incomes position Charleston residents to invest aggressively in retirement accounts, real estate, and diversified portfolios. Work with a wealth advisor to optimize tax strategy and capitalize on the county's strong job market to accelerate long-term wealth accumulation.

Health in Charleston County

via HealthByCounty

Healthiest outcomes in the state

Charleston County residents enjoy a life expectancy of 77.9 years, matching the U.S. national average and exceeding South Carolina's state average by 5.4 years. Only 12% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the nation's 15% rate.

Charleston leads South Carolina

Charleston County ranks #1 in South Carolina for life expectancy at 77.9 years, significantly outpacing the state average of 72.5 years. The county's robust healthcare infrastructure and economic resources create measurable advantages in health outcomes.

Clear leader among peers

Charleston's 77.9-year life expectancy towers over adjacent counties like Colleton (68.6 years) and Dorchester (not listed), reflecting both wealth and healthcare density. With 124 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—nearly six times Calhoun's rate—Charleston offers unmatched access to routine medical care.

Abundant providers, high coverage

Charleston's 9.7% uninsured rate is among the state's lowest, and residents benefit from exceptional provider density: 124 primary care and 467 mental health providers per 100,000. This infrastructure allows residents to access preventive care, screenings, and mental health support with relative ease.

Keep your coverage strong

Charleston's low uninsured rate reflects good coverage, but reviewing your health plan annually ensures it still meets your needs. Check healthcare.gov or your employer's options during open enrollment to confirm you have the right coverage.

Disaster Risk in Charleston County

via RiskByCounty

Charleston faces elevated national disaster risk

Charleston County's composite risk score of 98.63 places it in the Relatively High category and substantially above the national average, reflecting its exposure as South Carolina's most disaster-vulnerable county. The county scores critically high across nearly every hazard category, particularly hurricane (99.62), flood (99.80), and earthquake (98.79), making it one of America's highest-risk counties. This profile demands comprehensive disaster preparedness and appropriate insurance coverage.

Charleston County ranks highest-risk in state

With a composite score of 98.63 compared to South Carolina's 70.75 state average, Charleston County carries by far the state's greatest natural disaster burden. The county's coastal position exposes it to the full spectrum of hazards—hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, seismic activity, and severe weather—at levels unmatched elsewhere in South Carolina. This elevated risk profile directly reflects Charleston's geography and requires specialized attention to disaster planning.

Charleston's risks far exceed nearby counties

Charleston County's 98.63 score dramatically exceeds neighboring Colleton County (85.46) and Clarendon County (76.49), underscoring the coastal concentration of disaster threats. Charleston's position on the Atlantic coast subjects it to hurricane impacts, coastal flooding, and earthquake exposure that inland neighbors largely avoid. This geographic disadvantage makes Charleston's risk profile fundamentally different from surrounding counties.

Hurricanes and flooding pose critical threats

Charleston County faces exceptionally elevated risks from hurricane (99.62) and flood (99.80) hazards, with both scores among the nation's highest—reflecting the county's coastal position and vulnerability to Atlantic storm surge. Earthquake risk (98.79) and wildfire risk (93.86) also rank critically high, with tornado risk (71.02) adding additional severe weather exposure. These combined threats mean nearly every hazard type poses significant risk to residents and property.

Specialized coverage essential for Charleston homeowners

Charleston homeowners must carry comprehensive flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private carriers, as standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage and coastal areas face substantial inundation risk. Wind and hurricane damage coverage is equally critical—ensure your policy includes adequate protection against storm damage with appropriate deductibles. Consider earthquake insurance given the high seismic exposure, and review your coverage annually as flooding patterns shift and storm threats evolve.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.