MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) at a glance
- What's there
- The state's only integrated academic health sciences center: hospitals, six colleges and research
- Where
- 171 Ashley Avenue, downtown Charleston medical district (Charleston County)
- Size
- The largest non-federal employer in the Charleston area
- Getting there
- Every route from off the peninsula crosses a bridge or the James Island Connector
Drive times from every area
Closest first. Times are without traffic; at rush hour, plan on 1.5 to 2 times these. Median price and days on market cover residential sales over Nov 2025 – Oct 2026.
| Area | Drive time | Median price | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Charleston | 5 min (0.9 mi) | $915K | 52 days |
| James Island | 10 min (4.6 mi) | $640K | 42 days |
| Mount Pleasant (29464, south) | 10 min (4.9 mi) | $950K | 43 days |
| West Ashley | 10 min (5.2 mi) | $485K – $585K | 40–43 days |
| Johns Island | 15 min (7.3 mi) | $640K | 50 days |
| North Charleston | 15 min (7.8 mi) | $340K | 48 days |
| Folly Beach | 20 min (10.5 mi) | $1.02M | 112 days |
| Sullivan's Island | 20 min (9.8 mi) | $4.7M | 108 days |
| Hanahan | 20 min (11.5 mi) | $440K | 37 days |
| Daniel Island | 20 min (13.6 mi) | $1.73M | 37 days |
| Isle of Palms | 25 min (13.4 mi) | $1.79M | 66 days |
| Goose Creek | 25 min (17.5 mi) | $325K | 47 days |
| Ladson | 25 min (18.9 mi) | $325K | 44 days |
| Mount Pleasant (29466, north) | 25 min (13.3 mi) | $860K | 43 days |
| Cainhoy & Wando | 30 min (20.4 mi) | $790K | 40 days |
| Summerville | 35 min (24.9 mi) | $400K | 51 days |
| Ravenel | 35 min (20.3 mi) | $400K | 54 days |
| Hollywood | 35 min (20.1 mi) | $595K | 65 days |
| Moncks Corner | 45 min (32.1 mi) | $365K | 54 days |
Drive times computed with OSRM (OpenStreetMap road data), no traffic, rounded to 5 minutes. Rush hour is often 1.5x to 2x these. Origins match the commute tool and drive-time panels; employer points geocoded on OpenStreetMap. Destination: MUSC (downtown medical district). Each area is measured from one reference point, so your street may be a few minutes either way. For your exact address and work address, use the commute calculator.
What to know before you pick a town
Shift work and bridges
Night and weekend shifts make the farther suburbs much more workable. A 7 a.m. start inbound on the Ravenel Bridge or the Connector is a different drive from a 7 p.m. one. Drive your real shift before you choose.
The medical district floods
Streets around the medical district are some of the most flood-prone on the peninsula in heavy rain and high tides. Know your backup route and where you'll park on a bad day.
Living on the peninsula
Walking or biking to work is possible downtown, but expect older homes, higher prices per square foot, and flood and wind insurance to price carefully. West Ashley and James Island are the usual trade-off: more house, one bridge.
Within about 20 minutes without traffic: Downtown Charleston, James Island, Mount Pleasant (29464, south), West Ashley, Johns Island, North Charleston, Folly Beach, Sullivan's Island, Hanahan, Daniel Island. Each guide covers taxes, flood zones, schools and the honest trade-offs.
Common questions
What's the closest area to MUSC that isn't downtown?
West Ashley and James Island are about 10 minutes from the medical district without traffic, and Mount Pleasant (29464) about 10 via the Ravenel Bridge. Johns Island is about 15.
How big an employer is MUSC?
MUSC describes itself as the largest non-federal employer in the Charleston area.
More for your move
- The Charleston relocation guide: taxes, insurance, the 4% rate and the first 45 days
- Buying a home here from out of state
- Look up a flood zone by address
- Moving here for Boeing
- Moving here for Joint Base Lindsey Graham
- Moving here for Volvo
- Moving here for Mercedes-Benz Vans
Sources
- SC Biz News: MUSC, the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, $5.6B economic impact (scbiz.com)
- Nomad Health: Medical University of South Carolina (address) (nomadhealth.com)
Checked November 8, 2026. Employer facts change; confirm details like start dates and locations with your employer.