Economy, jobs and prices in Charleston, South Carolina: official figures
The median household income in Charleston was $92,414 a year in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey (in 2024 dollars), 291st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US median was $80,734 and the South Carolina median $69,324.
What is the per capita income in Charleston?
Income per resident (per capita income) in Charleston averaged $59,875 a year in 2020-2024, 115th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $44,673; South Carolina: $39,236).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow unequal are incomes in Charleston?
Charleston's Gini index of household income inequality was 0.492 in 2020-2024 (0 means equal incomes, 1 maximum inequality), 134th most unequal of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US figure was 0.483.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Charleston, South Carolina?
3.4% of the civilian labor force in Charleston was unemployed on average over 2020-2024 (2,954 people), 84th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more; the US rate in the same survey was 5.2% and South Carolina's 4.9%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Charleston have jobs?
84,432 residents of Charleston held civilian jobs, 64.5% of those aged 16 and over (US: 59.7%), and 1,064 served in the armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Charleston?
The largest industry group for working residents of Charleston was education, health care and social assistance (23.7% of employed residents), followed by professional, scientific, management and administrative services (19.1%) and arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (11.6%), 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Charleston work in manufacturing?
Manufacturing employed 6.5% of working residents of Charleston, 207th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 9.9%); professional, scientific and management services employed 19.1% (US: 12.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow long is the commute in Charleston, South Carolina?
Commuters in Charleston took 24.2 minutes on average to get to work in 2020-2024, 387th shortest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 26.4 minutes); 5.7% travelled an hour or more and 26.1% less than 15 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow do people in Charleston get to work?
19.4% of workers living in Charleston worked from home in 2020-2024, 221st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 15.1%). 66.2% drove to work alone, 7.2% carpooled, 0.7% used public transport and 3.5% walked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the average rent in Charleston, South Carolina?
The median gross rent (rent plus utilities) in Charleston was $1,722 a month in 2020-2024, 322nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $1,413; South Carolina: $1,180).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does a house cost in Charleston?
Owner-occupied homes in Charleston had a median value of $509,700 in 2020-2024 as estimated by their owners, 243rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: $332,700; South Carolina: $259,000).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow affordable are homes in Charleston?
The median home value in Charleston was 5.5 times the median household income, 287th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 4.1 times).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Charleston have no internet?
4.1% of households in Charleston (2,792) had no internet access at home in 2020-2024, 330th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.5%); 9.3% relied on a cellular data plan alone (US: 11.5%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Charleston compares with other cities in the United States
Median household income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 291 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median household income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 288 | Virginia Beach | $92,968 |
| 289 | Suffolk | $92,666 |
| 290 | Plantation | $92,541 |
| 291 | Charleston | $92,414 |
| 292 | Kent | $92,302 |
| 293 | West Valley City | $92,209 |
| 294 | Joliet | $92,201 |
Per capita income (2024 dollars) (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 115 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Per capita income (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Jersey City | $60,429 |
| 113 | Woodbury | $60,068 |
| 114 | Plano | $59,916 |
| 115 | Charleston | $59,875 |
| 116 | Weston | $59,866 |
| 117 | Costa Mesa | $59,742 |
| 118 | Arvada | $59,662 |
Gini index of household income inequality (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 134 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini index of household income inequality |
|---|---|---|
| 131 | Montgomery | 0.492 |
| 132 | Downers Grove | 0.492 |
| 133 | Lexington | 0.492 |
| 134 | Charleston | 0.492 |
| 135 | Palo Alto | 0.492 |
| 136 | Bowling Green | 0.492 |
| 137 | Gulfport | 0.491 |
Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 740 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate (share of civilian labor force) |
|---|---|---|
| 737 | Bartlett | 3.4% |
| 738 | Cambridge | 3.4% |
| 739 | Holly Springs | 3.4% |
| 740 | Charleston | 3.4% |
| 741 | Amarillo | 3.4% |
| 742 | Flower Mound | 3.4% |
| 743 | Bonita Springs | 3.4% |
Labor force participation rate (16 and over) (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 286 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labor force participation rate (16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| 283 | Elizabeth | 67.6% |
| 284 | Lowell | 67.6% |
| 285 | Springdale | 67.6% |
| 286 | Charleston | 67.6% |
| 287 | Chicago | 67.6% |
| 288 | Everett | 67.6% |
| 289 | Tigard | 67.6% |
Mean travel time to work (minutes) (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 437 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean travel time to work (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| 434 | Livonia | 24.3 |
| 435 | Rochester Hills | 24.3 |
| 436 | Middletown | 24.2 |
| 437 | Charleston | 24.2 |
| 438 | Parma | 24.2 |
| 439 | Bonita Springs | 24.2 |
| 440 | Worcester | 24.1 |
Workers who worked from home (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 221 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers who worked from home |
|---|---|---|
| 218 | Surprise | 19.5% |
| 219 | Richmond | 19.5% |
| 220 | Sanford | 19.5% |
| 221 | Charleston | 19.4% |
| 222 | Meridian | 19.4% |
| 223 | Stamford | 19.4% |
| 224 | Marietta | 19.3% |
Workers commuting by public transportation (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 523 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Workers commuting by public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 520 | Wichita | 0.7% |
| 521 | Napa | 0.7% |
| 522 | Palm Desert | 0.7% |
| 523 | Charleston | 0.7% |
| 524 | Laredo | 0.7% |
| 525 | Salinas | 0.7% |
| 526 | Coconut Creek | 0.7% |
Employed residents working in manufacturing (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 617 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents working in manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| 614 | Norwalk | 6.5% |
| 615 | La Mesa | 6.5% |
| 616 | Redmond | 6.5% |
| 617 | Charleston | 6.5% |
| 618 | Gulfport | 6.5% |
| 619 | Oakland | 6.5% |
| 620 | Ocoee | 6.5% |
Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 341 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Employed residents in education, health care and social assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 338 | Tamarac | 23.8% |
| 339 | Bayonne | 23.8% |
| 340 | Chesapeake | 23.7% |
| 341 | Charleston | 23.7% |
| 342 | Murfreesboro | 23.7% |
| 343 | Folsom | 23.7% |
| 344 | Placentia | 23.7% |
Median gross rent per month (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 322 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross rent per month |
|---|---|---|
| 319 | Loveland | $1,730 |
| 320 | Austin | $1,729 |
| 321 | Pompano Beach | $1,724 |
| 322 | Charleston | $1,722 |
| 323 | Lynn | $1,722 |
| 324 | Bozeman | $1,717 |
| 325 | Sparks | $1,716 |
Median value of owner-occupied homes (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 243 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median value of owner-occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 240 | Thornton | $517,500 |
| 241 | Cedar Park | $513,600 |
| 242 | Lynn | $510,100 |
| 243 | Charleston | $509,700 |
| 244 | Celina | $509,600 |
| 245 | Chandler | $507,800 |
| 246 | Murray | $507,500 |
Median home value as a multiple of median household income (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 284 of 820, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median home value as a multiple of median household income |
|---|---|---|
| 281 | Citrus Heights | 5.5x |
| 282 | Jupiter | 5.5x |
| 283 | Stockton | 5.5x |
| 284 | Charleston | 5.5x |
| 285 | Ann Arbor | 5.5x |
| 286 | Rialto | 5.5x |
| 287 | Bayonne | 5.5x |
Occupied homes lived in by their owners (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 482 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Occupied homes lived in by their owners |
|---|---|---|
| 479 | Chicopee | 55.7% |
| 480 | Norwalk | 55.6% |
| 481 | Winston-Salem | 55.6% |
| 482 | Charleston | 55.6% |
| 483 | Clarksville | 55.6% |
| 484 | Round Rock | 55.5% |
| 485 | West Allis | 55.5% |
Households with a broadband subscription (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 392 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with a broadband subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 389 | Casa Grande | 92.8% |
| 390 | Medford | 92.8% |
| 391 | Tacoma | 92.8% |
| 392 | Charleston | 92.8% |
| 393 | Coon Rapids | 92.8% |
| 394 | Midland | 92.8% |
| 395 | Palm Bay | 92.8% |
Households with no internet access (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 494 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households with no internet access |
|---|---|---|
| 491 | Lacey | 4.1% |
| 492 | Port Orange | 4.1% |
| 493 | Merced | 4.1% |
| 494 | Charleston | 4.1% |
| 495 | Bloomington | 4.1% |
| 496 | Tallahassee | 4.1% |
| 497 | Davie | 4.1% |
More on Charleston: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08013: Aggregate Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) of Workers by Sex (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 6939fdfa046fd5bb829ec8da9549e66298cc740f6a3f5dd60e1920a08e3083fb), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f94e7878b6a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B23025: Employment Status for the Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 264a5bd9367c5f58d9773fa4966fa94fe1e02f9c7106bc2ab39168d6de7c3e4a), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2630e6946370…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini Index of Income Inequality (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 338f7a1191eaaf3913913e78c36aaa9d82f2b5c8faaf889be2e597b28869205e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8cf854b1f94…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C24030: Sex by Industry for the Civilian Employed Population 16 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 66a2799a71a5fc36f0e3bc22767fe5bdd8f96eb29e85b91311e990d35cc14114), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5d717c57e7e4…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19013: Median Household Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b25a176b0e6c339b6f3a2a0d3d8446bf06f5f080b4395993ec9a8313efb1c229), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1d8a264807c6…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B08301: Means of Transportation to Work (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 552b24c135b6e7c566910914a861cda6fc798ba0cd47801b1eb64295a128c2ee), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 eaf823006d53…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B19301: Per Capita Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 9fc107e98fee7fa49bb8314560205569184fad65fb64b80adb5c5bdd83ccc409), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 24c1e725b26a…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25064: Median Gross Rent (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 b36e6dc1fcef36b8b307d31b37517b64c80d8b9c70d48c9b1894242860f42eb0), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b842a7ff825c…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25077: Median Value (Dollars) (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 89eb2153764a2330b23959d8bbc29b3a8f3016f087b990f2a8ea0d5096d9a816), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22b59a3b1acb…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B28002: Presence and Types of Internet Subscriptions in Household (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 12446ff0691b8818f5908cdc398817361772c5b3078c506d0409adc9c841840b), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4b375b368bf9…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25003: Tenure (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 68e963e1ed60fcf6b0658579cefc6498b7a9eb780b9f3e87fd1b9775c4d4ac6c), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2983c28f47fa…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.