Living in North Charleston, SC
North Charleston is the 226th-largest city in the US, home to about 129,000 people in 2025. It is growing fast: up 12.5% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (101.0 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 129,245+12.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $302,2004.8 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,430/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $62,956median, per year
- Price level
- 101.0US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 60° / 91°lows 39° / 74°
- Average commute
- 25 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 6%top rate, graduated
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County: Charleston County, Dorchester County, Berkeley County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 20 ft
Metro area: Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Cost of living in North Charleston
The median home in North Charleston is worth $302,200 and the median household earns $62,956 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.8 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,430 a month, about 27% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area at 101.0, with housing at 119.8 and goods at 96.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,700 here. South Carolina taxes wages at a top rate of 6%. The average combined state and local sales tax in South Carolina is 7.49%.
What would my salary be worth in North Charleston?
North Charleston weather
Average highs run from 60°F in January to 91°F in July, and January nights average 39°F. It gets 52 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 64 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are March to May and October to November.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit North Charleston
People and work
The median resident is 34.6 years old, and 29% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 50% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.6162nd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 29%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 50%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,65878.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%1% walk, 0.6% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.3%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 14.4%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1996median year
Who moves to North Charleston, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), Columbia (Richland County) and Greenville (Greenville County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Greenville (Greenville County), Columbia (Richland County) and Charlotte (Mecklenburg County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Charleston County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, coastal flooding, earthquake, lightning.
Home prices
+4.7% in a year
Up 62% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
60% good days
1 day unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near North Charleston
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Trident Technical College 6 miles
- College of Charleston 6 miles
- Charleston Southern University 10 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near North Charleston
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston International Airport CHS | 4 mi | 3,115,194 |
| Hilton Head Airport HHH | 60 mi | 108,775 |
| Myrtle Beach International Airport MYR | 84 mi | 1,894,929 |
| Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport SAV | 87 mi | 2,020,753 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near North Charleston
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Charleston | 6 mi | 10,558 | $18,177 | 65% |
| Trident Technical College | 6 mi | 10,512 | n/a | 33% |
| Charleston Southern University | 10 mi | 2,893 | $20,661 | 50% |
| Citadel Military College of South Carolina | 4 mi | 2,705 | $22,019 | 79% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in North Charleston
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before March 7, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around November 13 and the first frost comes around November 27.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Charleston Intl. Airport, SC, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for North Charleston.
Wildfire smoke in North Charleston
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered North Charleston on about 129 days a year, including about 13 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in North Charleston
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 49,185 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in North Charleston
Downtown North Charleston is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston County School District | Pre-K to 12 | 50,856 | 83 | 13.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Berkeley County School District (39,423 students), Dorchester School District 2 (25,928 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
North Charleston's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to North Charleston's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Conroe, TX84% matchCompare
- South Fulton, GA79% matchCompare
- Arlington, TX78% matchCompare
- Houston, TX77% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near North Charleston
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Pros and cons of living in North Charleston
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 60°F.
- Data The city is growing fast (+12.5% since 2020), a sign of jobs and new housing.
Cons
- Data Home prices have climbed fast: up 62% in five years (FHFA).
North Charleston report card from locals
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Cities near North Charleston
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | 4 mi | 159,423 | $509,700 | 101.0 | Compare |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 10 mi | 95,469 | $748,500 | 101.0 | Compare |
| Savannah, GA | 86 mi | 149,440 | $248,900 | 95.2 | Compare |
| Columbia, SC | 98 mi | 147,035 | $264,300 | 93.7 | Compare |
| Augusta, GA | 127 mi | 201,999 | $178,400 | 91.9 | Compare |
| Wilmington, NC | 154 mi | 126,809 | $383,800 | 96.4 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare North Charleston with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is North Charleston a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show a growing population. Compare North Charleston side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of North Charleston?
The Census Bureau estimates North Charleston had 129,245 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 114,887 in April 2020 (+12.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in North Charleston?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,700 in the North Charleston area. The median household here earns $62,956.
When is the best time to visit North Charleston?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, March to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. July averages 91°F and January 60°F for daytime highs.
What county is North Charleston in?
North Charleston spans Charleston County (66%), Dorchester County (31%), Berkeley County (3%) by share of the city's land. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is North Charleston in?
North Charleston is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of North Charleston?
About 20 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes. South Carolina has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 6% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of North Charleston. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Charleston Intl. Airport, SC station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.