The Charleston metro is home to 207,456 people (down 4.5% over five years), with a median household income of $58,089. Typical rent of $1,210/month works out to 25.0% 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 | 28.2% |
| Retail trade | 11.5% |
| Professional & management | 9.4% |
| Public administration | 8.9% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.3% |
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 25.0% 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 $1,210/month suggests a household income around $48,000/year. The metro's median household income is $58,089.
By workforce share: Education & health care (28.2%), Retail trade (11.5%), Professional & management (9.4%) (Census ACS 5-year).