Moving to Charleston
Most people moving to Charleston pick between three trade-offs: price (Berkeley and Dorchester counties cost far less than Charleston County), commute (the bridges and a few main roads shape every drive), and flood risk (which changes street by street). My free guide walks through all three with real 2026 numbers.
What's in the guide
- The market in numbers: typical prices by county and supply right now, from the CHS Regional MLS
- Ten areas, honestly compared, with what to watch out for in each
- The costs nobody puts on the brochure, including South Carolina's 2026 income tax changes
- Water, wind and flood: what to check before you make an offer
- A 90-day move timeline, your first 30 days as a resident, and buying from out of town
Moving from somewhere specific?
Side-by-side comparisons of taxes, home values, climate and flights, plus what tends to surprise people:
- Moving from New York
- Moving from Charlotte
- Moving from Ohio (Columbus and Cleveland)
- Moving from New Jersey
- Moving from Pennsylvania (Philadelphia area)
- Moving from Florida
Moving for a job? See where to live for Boeing, Joint Base Lindsey Graham (formerly Joint Base Charleston), MUSC, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz Vans, with drive times from every area. Torn between two towns? Compare any two side by side.
Buying before you move? Read how to buy a home in Charleston from out of state, and if you're retiring here, what taxes, health care and housing look like.
Common questions
How fast is the Charleston area growing?
The Charleston Regional Development Alliance, citing U.S. Census Bureau data, puts the region at about 889,000 residents, adding roughly 40 new residents a day, with roughly 1 million projected by 2032.
What does a house cost in the Charleston area?
It depends heavily on the county. In the 2026 guide (sales from Sep 2025 – Aug 2026), the median residential sale was about $635,000 in Charleston County, about $400,000 in Berkeley County and about $382,000 in Dorchester County (CHS Regional MLS).
What is the South Carolina income tax rate in 2026?
Under H.4216, signed March 30, 2026 and effective for tax year 2026, South Carolina taxes income at 1.99% under $30,000 and 5.21% (minus $966) at $30,000 and above. Confirm with a tax professional for your situation.
Sources: CHS Regional MLS via Flexmls (pulled September 21, 2026); Charleston Regional Development Alliance; SC Department of Revenue.