North Charleston, South Carolina, known as "The Hub of the Lowcountry," is a dynamic and rapidly growing city located in the Charleston metropolitan area. With its strong economy, diverse population, and rich cultural scene, North Charleston offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in North Charleston an attractive option for families and professionals.
Residents of North Charleston enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The North Charleston Riverfront Park and Wannamaker County Park are popular destinations for hiking, biking, and picnicking. The city also hosts numerous festivals and events, including the annual North Charleston Arts Fest and the High Water Festival.
North Charleston's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare. The city is home to major employers such as Boeing and Trident Health, providing ample job opportunities for residents. The North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center is a vibrant commercial hub offering a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
The cost of living in North Charleston is relatively affordable compared to other parts of the Charleston metropolitan area, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in North Charleston is well-developed, with access to CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority) buses, facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. North Charleston's climate features hot, humid summers and mild winters, allowing for year-round outdoor activities. Overall, North Charleston offers a blend of economic opportunity, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Amenities
The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Ratings
AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Located in the state of South Carolina, North Charleston is a mid-sized city with a population of 117,218 inhabitants. North Charleston is mostly populated by White (44%) and Black or African American (44%) ethnic groups. The median age of all North Charleston residents is 33, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. In North Charleston, only 42% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make North Charleston your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 24 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Living in North Charleston can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of South Carolina, there are many desirable places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Finding the best places to live in North Charleston and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, commute, health & safety, education, employment and other important metrics.
North Charleston has a livability score of 65 out of 100 and is ranked #115 in South Carolina and #11,965 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that North Charleston has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, North Charleston does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and crime (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. North Charleston excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
North Charleston real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in North Charleston. Median real estate prices in North Charleston come in at $332,704, which is 27.9% higher than the South Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In North Charleston, the home price to income ratio is 4.8, which is 26.3% higher than the South Carolina average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | North Charleston | South Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.6% | 82.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.8% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.9% | 0.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.9% | 3.6% | 4.6% |
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