Retiring in Charleston, South Carolina

Overview

Historic charm with a nationally-known food scene on the water.

Home Price

Homes in Charleston typically range from $327k to $589k.

Source: Zillow Home Value Index. Estimates only — verify current pricing before making decisions.

Cost of Living

Charleston's cost of living index is 101.1 compared to a U.S. national average of 100.

Climate

Average summer highs around 86°F and winter daytime temperatures around 61°F, with high humidity and a “Four seasons” seasonal pattern.

Geography & Landscape

Healthcare

Healthcare access and quality index: 77/100 (HomeAfterWork healthcare index — County Health Rankings + CMS Care Compare, local-adjusted from the U.S. national baseline).

Safety & Stability

Charleston scores a safety index of 70.2/100 and a political stability score of 7.0/10, based on sourced crime and stability data.

Airport Access

About 26 minutes to the nearest major airport we could confirm. *Estimated drive time (straight-line distance) — not real routing data. Worth checking directly.

Lifestyle & Activities

Outdoor activities:

• Boating / kayaking
• Fishing
• Tennis / racquet sports
• Gardening
• Nature / bird watching

Culture & lifestyle:

• Food culture
• Museums
• Live music
• Shopping

Things to Consider

• Hurricane season
• Humid summers