The Charleston metro is home to 817,756 people (up 7.7% over five years), with a median household income of $82,272. Typical rent of $2,037/month works out to 29.7% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Charleston's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 21.1% |
| Professional & management | 14.4% |
| Retail trade | 10.7% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 10.0% |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 29.7% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Charleston market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,037/month suggests a household income around $81,000/year. The metro's median household income is $82,272.
By workforce share: Education & health care (21.1%), Professional & management (14.4%), Retail trade (10.7%) (Census ACS 5-year).