Charleston, South Carolina Income Statistics
Charleston Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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B
Charleston Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Charleston | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $92,795 | $69,383 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $65,208 | $52,934 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 6.2% | 5.0% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 19.4% | 10.5% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 17.3% | 8.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Charleston is about 34% higher than in South Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Charleston (6.2%/yr) than in South Carolina (5.0%/yr).
About 19% of adults in Charleston earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the South Carolina average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Charleston, South Carolina grew by 100.9% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $92,795 in 2024. That's an average of about 6.2% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Charleston
| Metric | Charleston | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.525 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $80,310 | $62,655 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $61,745 | $49,387 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 23.1% | 21.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Charleston, it is 0.525, lower than South Carolina's 0.547, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 30% more than women's income in Charleston, South Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 30% wage gap accumulates to roughly $649,775 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Charleston, South Carolina has widened from about 19% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 17% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,398 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in Charleston widened by 4.6 points while South Carolina's narrowed by 2.3 points.
Employment
| Metric | Charleston | South Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 18.7% | 11.5% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 22 | 22 |
Approximately 2,490 people are unemployed in Charleston, South Carolina.
The average commute time in Charleston is 20 minutes, shorter than the 22 minutes in South Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Charleston, South Carolina has fallen from 7.9% to 3.2% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.0% in 2013.
Charleston, SC Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Charleston, SC compares with the 2 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | 138,300 | $92,795 #1/3 | 6.2%/yr #1/3 | 3.2% #2/3 | 0.525 #3/3 |
| Hanahan, SC | 21,136 | $84,455 | 5.8%/yr | 2.5% | 0.501 |
| North Charleston, SC | 123,884 | $64,619 | 6.0%/yr | 4.1% | 0.524 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Charleston, South Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than South Carolina, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Charleston, South Carolina.
How Rich Is Charleston, South Carolina?
Charleston has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $92,795, about 34% higher than the South Carolina average of $69,383.
How fast is household income rising in Charleston, South Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Charleston, South Carolina rose 101%, from $46,198 to $92,795. Over the same years, income here outpaced South Carolina as a whole: +101% against +59%.
What was the median household income in Charleston in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Charleston, South Carolina was $89,663, up 5% from $85,000 in 2022. The South Carolina median that year was $66,973.
What was the median household income in Charleston in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Charleston, South Carolina was $72,366. By 2024 it had risen 28% to $92,795.
How many people earn six figures in Charleston, South Carolina?
Yes. 19% of adults in Charleston, South Carolina earn $100,000 or more a year (about 1 in 5), against 11% (about 1 in 9) in South Carolina. 17% of households have a combined income of $200,000 or more, compared with 9% in South Carolina.
How strong is the job market in Charleston, South Carolina?
Unemployment in Charleston, South Carolina is only 3.2%, well below the South Carolina rate of 4.8%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Charleston, South Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Charleston is 0.525. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Charleston, South Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Charleston, South Carolina has widened from about 19% to 23% in 2024. Over that period the gap was narrowest at 17% in 2019. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $10,398 since 2009.
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