With 27 incorporated communities, residential areas range from the rural towns of Jamestown and St. George to the vibrant, urban areas of Charleston and North Charleston. The growing demand for housing has spawned a number of new residential opportunities throughout the region, and most price ranges are well represented.

Single Family Homes

Although selling prices vary greatly throughout the market, the estimated purchase price for a newly built home with 2,400 square feet (223 square meters) of living space is $274,887. This new home typically has three to four bedrooms and two full baths, and is located in a typical middle management, executive household neighborhood. For current residential real estate listings, visit the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

Residential Home Sales - Selling Price by Sub-Market

Submarket	2006 Median Selling Price	2006 Average Selling Price
Berkeley County	$171,753	$217,137
Goose Creek (zip 29455)	$173,450	$187,837
Summerville (zip 29483/29485)	$193,824	$200,926
Dorchester County	$184,900	$206,974
Moncks Corner (zip 29461)	$182,935	$196,429
Charleston County	$280,000	$516,000
East of Cooper River	$315,000	$400,871
Kiawah & Seabrook Islands	$575,000	$728,847
North Charleston	$131,900	$135,211
Peninsula Charleston (above Crosstown Expway)	$289,000	$339,759
Peninsula Charleston (below Crosstown Expway)	$614,500	$820,844
West Islands	$239,570	$310,062
West of the Ashley River	$210,000	$244,651
Wild Dunes	$840,000	$905,006
Total Charleston Region	$201,990	$291,056
Source: Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS

Apartment Rentals

The Charleston region has a large number of apartment rental options. The average monthly apartment rent for a two-bedroom, two-bath unfurnished apartment excluding all utilities except water is $896.

Apartments: Average Monthly Rental by Sub-Market (Feb 2007)

Submarket	1-bedroom unit	2-bedroom unit	3-bedroom unit
Downtown Charleston	$654	$731	$649
West of the Ashley River	656	745	876
Goose Creek	632	709	838
James Island	799	935	1,098
Mount Pleasant	834	961	1,055
North Charleston	587	686	781
Summerville	629	736	906
Source: Carolinas Real Data, www.aptindex.com

For information on current residential real estate offerings, visit the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

The climate of greater Charleston is considered "temperate to subtropical." On average, the region enjoys 230 days of sunshine each year, and the average growing season lasts 294 days.

Latitude	32° 54' N
Longitude	80° 02' W
Average Daily Temperature	65.7° F; 18.7° C
Average Daily High	75.2° F; 24.0° C
Average Daily Low	56.1° F; 13.4° C
Average Days with Sunshine	63%
Average Precipitation	50.08"; 127.2 cm
Average Relative Humidity	71%

Monthly Averages, Charleston International Airport

Month	Temp (°F)	Temp (°C)	Relative Humidity	Precipitation (inches)	Precipitation (centimeters)
January	49.2	9.6	69.0%	3.20	8.13
February	51.3	10.7	67.5%	3.17	8.05
March	57.6	14.2	66.5%	3.97	10.08
April	64.9	18.3	66.5%	2.70	6.86
May	72.6	22.6	69.0%	3.51	8.92
June	78.6	25.9	72.5%	5.77	14.66
July	81.4	27.5	75.0%	7.34	18.64
August	80.5	26.9	76.5%	6.82	17.32
September	76.3	24.6	76.0%	5.38	13.67
October	66.8	19.3	72.5%	2.93	7.44
November	58.0	14.4	70.0%	2.33	5.92
December	50.8	10.4	69.5%	2.95	7.49
Annual	65.7	18.7	71.0%	50.08	127.20
Source: Southeast Regional Climate Center

Compared to many other thriving coastal communities, Charleston offers a reasonable cost of living according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index. This quarterly survey compares relative living costs for middle-management households among U.S. metropolitan areas and cities. Charleston residents also get a break when it comes to taxes, with the area's state and local tax burden significantly lower than the national average.

Charleston, SC MSA Cost of Living Index

All Items (Composite)	97.8
Grocery Items	100.5
Housing	90.3
Utilities	102.0
Transportation	97.8
Health Care	110.3
Misc. Goods & Services	100.1
U.S. Cities Baseline Index = 100
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2007 Annual Average

Tax Burden, 2005

	South Carolina	United States
State and Local Taxes Total	$2,779	$3,698
Property	$880	$1,132
Sales & Use	$714	$887
Individual Income	$634	$813
Corporate Income	$58	$145
State and Local Taxes per $1,000 of Personal Income	$103.85	$112.84
Source: TaxFoundation.org using US Census Bureau data, 2007

The South Carolina tax average is lower than the United States for property, sales & use, individual and corporate income. For more information on state and local tax structure, visit Taxes & Incentives or Personal Taxes.

With more than 2,000 physicians, 10 major medical facilities and a strong commitment to medical research, the Charleston region offers a vital health and wellness community. Three nationally recognized hospital systems serve the region, as well as numerous medical centers considered among the best in the United States. In all, more than 24,000 people are employed by the local healthcare industry.

Major Hospitals & Medical Facilities

Hospitals / Medical Facilities	Contact	Beds/Employees
Charleston Memorial Hospital	www.musc.edu/cmh	172 beds; 135 employees
East Cooper Medical Center	www.eastcoopermedctr.com	100 beds; 600 employees
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)	www.musc.edu	752 beds; 10,000 employees
Ralph H. Johnson V.A. Medical Center	www.charleston.va.gov	145 beds; 1,100 employees
Roper St. Francis Healthcare (Two area hospital facilities)	www.ropersaintfrancis.com	594 beds; 2,900 employees
Trident Health System (Two area hospital facilities)	www.tridenthealthsystem.com	390 beds; 2,000 employees
Naval Health Clinic Charleston	www.nhchasn.med.navy.mil	540 employees

Source: Center for Business Research, 9/07

Charleston area residents actively support the performing and visual arts – including a world-class symphony orchestra, a ballet company, several stage companies, a number of museums and a growing base of art galleries. In fact, AmericanStyle magazine lists the Charleston area as one of the top 10 art destinations in the United States.

For the outdoors enthusiast, acres of freshwater lakes, a large national forest, miles of beaches and 160 parks provide the perfect setting for numerous outdoor activities, including sailing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, hunting, windsurfing and water skiing.

To learn more about lifestyle options in the Charleston region, visit our Living & Working Here section.