Firstly why North-Charleston, South-Carolina?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: North-Charleston
• State: South-Carolina
• Population: 113,148 people
• North-Charleston’s quick summary would be Celebrated for its industrial heritage and the Charleston Air Force Base.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 17,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 9,000 annually
• Net Migration: 8000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 3,000
• Number of Homeless people: 700

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features cultural diversity and accessibility attracting families

Perk #1: North-Charleston Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 33%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 61%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $47,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in North-Charleston is $52,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $5000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & North-Charleston’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,826
• Property Tax %: 0.93%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,000
• Rent for an average house: $1,500
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Park Circle
• Top 5 Growing Areas: North-Charleston, Ladson, Hanahan, Goose-Creek, and probably could include Summerville
• Avg. Age of Homes in North-Charleston: 27 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.4%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & North-Charleston’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in North-Charleston are  Aerospace, Manufacturing, and Retail
• North-Charleston Job Scene: healthy job market focused on logistics and manufacturing
• The General Tech Scene: emerging tech scene influenced by logistics and manufacturing sectors , ,
• North-Charleston Resident’s pay $1,100 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in North-Charleston: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 60 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 12

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in North-Charleston

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-26 runs through North Charleston facilitating access
• Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: backups on Rivers Avenue
• Transportation Score: 51 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in North-Charleston: 75,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.7
• No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
• DMV Website for North-Charleston: scdmvonline.com
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 60 of 100
• Local Airport: Charleston International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: North-Charleston’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in North-Charleston is best described as experiences hot summers and mild winters with regular rainfall
• Winter Weather in North-Charleston i’d describe as mild with some rain
• Spring Weather in North-Charleston can be described as warm with rain expected
• Summer’s in North-Charleston are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in North-Charleston is usually mild and sunny
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 15 days in summer
• Days in a row in North-Charleston below Freezing: 4
• Average Annual Rainfall: 52 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality affected by urban density
• North-Charleston Winter Air mixed air quality influenced by urbanization

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: North-Charleston Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in North-Charleston 4
• While the number of trade schools inside North-Charlestons’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the North Charleston District Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & North-Charleston Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time North-Charleston only Doctors is about 110
• Local Hospitals here is  6
• Full-time North-Charleston only Police Officers is about 300
• Crime Rate Index: 55/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• North-Charleston’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• North-Charleston’s Monthly Gym Membership: $45
• North-Charleston’s Water Quality Score: 72

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in North-Charleston

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 9 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: urban area focused on diversity and local development
• You might enjoy concerts at local venues
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), North-Charleston  offers a lively nightlife scene with local bars clubs and entertainment showcasing local culture

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of North-Charleston

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes diverse dining options and family dining
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 50 scattered around North-Charleston
• The Popular Sports Team is Local PickleBall Champs
• Top Level Political Climate in North-Charleston can be described as diverse city with a mix of socio-economic challenges
• North-Charleston’s Longer standing religious establishment is North Charleston United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: North-Charleston Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know North-Charleston has 70 Parks?
• North Charleston Park is North-Charleston’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is North Charleston Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and parks

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: North-Charleston Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in North-Charleston can be described as moderate urban pace with a focus on community and industry
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in North-Charleston community events attending local fairs picnicking
• The Cities people commute to from North-Charleston are Earl 5 miles away Beaufort 12 miles away Hilton-Head-Island 45 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about North-Charleston or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: backups on Rivers Avenue. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   North-Charleston’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Park Circle is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby North-Charleston are Earl 5 miles away Beaufort 12 miles away Hilton-Head-Island 45 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 55 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   North-Charleston has 4 days in a row below freezing and 15 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in North-Charleston people have an average (positive or negative) $5000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   700 homeless people living in North-Charleston. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse city with a mix of socio-economic challenges could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to North-Charleston.

Retiree & Senior Life in North-Charleston

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for tax incentives aimed at low-income housing
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Palms
• North Charleston Senior Center features recreational activities health workshops and social programs

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to North-Charleston, South-Carolina?

If North-Charleston, South-Carolina ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around North-Charleston, South-Carolina, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!