Known as “the Holy City,” Charleston is one of the best destinations to relocate to in the South. From iconic foods like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and fried green tomatoes to Rainbow Row and views of the Charleston Harbor, it shouldn’t be surprising that nearly 140,000 people call this city home. If you’re considering living in Charleston, you’re probably wondering about the cost of housing. Well, you’ve made it to the right place. The median price of homes for sale in Charleston is $485,000, and the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,282.
If that price is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve collected the 8 most affordable Charleston suburbs to consider living in. And the best part is that they’re all less than 40 minutes away from the city center. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Charleston’s best activities without paying the price of city life.
#1: Lincolnville
Median home price: $210,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 30 minutes
Lincolnville, SC homes for sale
Lincolnville, SC apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $210,000, Lincolnville is our list’s most affordable Charleston suburb. Home to 3,000 residents, this affordable town can be an excellent choice for people looking to remain close to Charleston without paying the price for a home in the city. Living in Lincolnville, you’ll find Gahagan Park and have easy access to all the attractions throughout the city of Charleston.
#2: Ladson
Median home price: $299,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 25 minutes
Ladson, SC homes for sale
Ladson, SC apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Lincolnville is the suburb of Ladson, which is home to roughly 16,000 residents. If you move to this Charleston suburb, stop by Music In Motion Family Fun Center and Coastal Carolina Flea Market for an afternoon of fun. Only 25 away from downtown Charleston, you can easily plan an evening in the city, whether you’re looking to try a new restaurant or see a show.
#3: Sangaree
Median home price: $302,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 30 minutes
Sangaree, SC homes for sale
Sangaree, SC apartments for rent
Home to 8,000 residents, the suburb of Sangaree takes third place on our list. Located in Berkeley County and only 30 minutes from Charleston, you’ll be exploring Waterfront Park in just a quick drive.
#4: North Charleston
Median home price: $325,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 15 minutes
North Charleston, SC homes for sale
North Charleston, SC apartments for rent
Another well-known Charleston suburb is North Charleston, where the home prices are about $160K less than in Charleston. This suburb has about 122,500 residents and is an excellent area to consider buying a home in. Whether you need to catch a flight at Charleston International Airport or want to spend the morning at a local café, there are many activities to do and things to see in this suburb.
#5: Goose Creek
Median home price: $330,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 25 minutes
Goose Creek, SC homes for sale
Goose Creek, SC apartments for rent
Just 25 minutes away from Charleston, you’ll find the suburb of Goose Creek. Home to 46,000 residents, there are plenty of unique things to do and spots to visit in this charming suburb. If you are moving to or visiting Goose Creek, make sure to visit Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark.
#6: Moncks Corner
Median home price: $347,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 40 minutes
Moncks Corner, SC homes for sale
Moncks Corner, SC apartments for rent
Living in Charleston, it’s likely that you know of Moncks Corner, the sixth suburb on our list. This affordable suburb is home to about 14,000 residents, so you’ll have a fraction of Charleston’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Once moving to Moncks Corner, add the Old Santee Canal Park, Berkeley County Museum, and Cypress Gardens to your list of places to visit.
#7: Summerville
Median home price: $350,000
Driving distance from Charleston: 30 minutes
Summerville, SC homes for sale
Summerville, SC apartments for rent
Next on our list of affordable Charleston suburbs is Summerville, which is about 30 minutes away from downtown. With a population of roughly 55,000, Summerville is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as Charleston. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to visit Summerville-Dorchester Museum.
#8: Hanahan
Median home price: $392,500
Driving distance from Charleston: 25 minutes
Hanahan, SC homes for sale
Hanahan, SC apartments for rent
Bordered by Goose Creek and North Charleston, Hanahan is an excellent place to consider living in that will get you access to downtown Charleston in just about 25 minutes. The suburb has direct access to the Cooper River and the Charleston Harbor, making it a great place for finishing and water sports.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Charleston and under a 40-minute drive from downtown Charleston. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2022. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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