Downtown Charleston Real Estate Prices

Single Family Home: Median Price is $1.4M. Range is $600k-$15M

Pros of Living Downtown Charleston

• If you live in downtown Charleston, you are truly living the Charleston lifestyle.
• The energy and vibrancy that you just don’t get in the suburbs.
• Charleston’s restaurants are fantastic.
• You can walk everywhere from your home.
• You’re surrounded by water and sea breezes.

Cons of Living Downtown Charleston

• Tourists. There are a lot of them, but you learn how to avoid them.
• Those beautiful old houses need maintenance

Downtown Charleston Residents Say

Here are ten comments on Reddit from people live in downtown Charleston.

1. "Living in Historic Downtown Charleston is like stepping into a Southern charm postcard. It’s got that old-world vibe with cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture."
2. "You’re right in the heart of everything. Great restaurants, bars, and shops are all within walking distance."
3. "Traffic can be a headache, especially during tourist season. But hey, that’s the price for living in such a vibrant area."
4. "The community here is tight-knit. It feels like everyone knows each other, which is kinda cool."
5. "Housing can be pricey, especially for those charming historic homes. But it’s worth it for the atmosphere and location."
6. "There’s always something going on—festivals, events, you name it. It keeps things lively."
7. "The parks here are beautiful. Perfect for a picnic or just relaxing under the oak trees."
8. "Nightlife is great if you’re into that. Plenty of bars with live music and cool spots to hang out."
9. "You’re close to the water, which is a big plus. Beach days or just strolling along the waterfront are easy."
10. "Overall, living in Historic Downtown Charleston is like living in a piece of history with all the perks of a modern city. It’s a unique experience."

Where is Downtown Charleston?

Downtown Charleston is the historic and business part of Charleston SC. It lies between the Ashley & Cooper Rivers at the mouth of Charleston Harbor.

The population of downtown Charleston is 50,000.

What is Downtown Charleston like?

What more can be written about downtown that a thousand newspaper articles haven’t already captured? The beauty of downtown is what sets Charleston apart from so many bland cities.

As an Irish college student, I spent a summer working and living downtown. Those three months in downtown Charleston convinced me that moving 4,000 miles away from my family was worth it to live in such a stunningly beautiful place.

The key for me is the walkability factor. Walk to get your morning coffee, your evening cocktail, your market produce. Say hi to the neighbors on their porch as you pass by. They'll be smiling. Life really is like that in Downtown Charleston.

Charleston is no secret anymore. It's been the top city in the US for 10+ years. With that comes people, but everyone who lives downtown finds their own space. Their own favorite spots where they become regulars. Where the server nods at them when they walk in and serve them ahead of the tourists. This is the downtown that I love.

There's a festival every weekend in Charleston, you will never be bored, I can promise that. And you won't be lonely either, it's the friendliest city in the country.

Along with everything else, Charleston is a college town. College of Charleston, Medical University of South Carolina, and The Citadel are all on the downtown Charleston peninsula. There's always energy and sports.

I’ve lived downtown for 18 years, absolutely love it, and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the Charleston area. That's the highest compliment that I can give it.

Who Lives in Downtown Charleston?

The very wealthy, the wealthy, second homeowners from bigger cities, locals who don’t like suburban life, medical workers at MUSC, urban professionals, retirees who like city life, and college students.

Downtown Charleston Restaurants & Bars

It’s the best square mile of food and drink in the entire state of South Carolina. From luxury high-end restaurants to dive bars, you can find whatever your taste is in Downtown Charleston.

The Market Area is more touristy. Upper King Street is the main nightlife area. Locals know the best places are away from the crowds hidden down a side street.

Shopping in Downtown Charleston

King Street is a mile of local boutiques and national brands. Whatever you need, you’ll find it here. Harris Teeter is the 24-hour supermarket on East Bay Street Downtown. The Saturday Farmer’s Market in Marion Square is where I buy all my fresh produce directly from the source.

Parks & Recreation in Charleston

Waterfront Park & White Point Gardens are waterfront parks worthy of your Instagram shot. I walk my dog here every morning, catching it at sunrise, before the heat and the crowds. Colonial Lake is further from the tourists and where local runners get their laps in. Bring your yoga mat, there’s a yoga studio on most streets downtown! Run the Bridge along with 40,000 others in April.

The Best Things To Do In Downtown Charleston

• Waterfront Park at sunrise & sunset is gorgeous
• Colonial Lake is off the beaten track for tourists but is a lovely spot to walk.
• Saturday morning Farmers Market at Marion Square
• The streets, just walk, explore, find those hidden alleys

How Far Is Downtown Charleston From

Airport: 20 minutes. Beach: 20 minutes to Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach

My Top Downtown Charleston Neighborhoods

1. South of Broad | $1M - $15M

The most exclusive part of downtown Charleston. It's gorgeous. These houses can tell some stories. You may need a full-time landscaper for many of these homes. If you live SOB, you are sure to tell people about it.

Home to Charleston Society, the rich and famous, long-time Charleston families, and wealthy part-time residents.

2. French Quarter | $1M - $5M

Wander its flower-filled streets. It is close to the market which means tourists are wandering around taking photos of your pretty door & garden. Many art galleries and theaters in this small neighborhood. It is perfect for your pied-à-terre.

It draws an artsy crowd. Many houses are small so are city getaways either from Charleston's beach or bigger cities.

3. Ansonborough | $1M-$5M+

Has some of my favorite architecture downtown and while it is exclusive & expensive, it’s just far enough north of the touristed areas to avoid the worst of it and still be able to get in/out without being stuck behind a carriage. Budgetallowing, this would be one of my top picks to live downtown.

4. Harleston Village | $800k-$5M+

Lovely part of town, on the lower west side of the peninsula. So many beautiful houses here, including some architecturally stunning mansions. It has the bonus of being close to MUSC & being away from most of the tourism. Colonial Lake is on your doorstep. One of my favorites downtown for sure. Easy to get on I-26 from here if you work in the North area or fly frequently.

Popular with MUSC doctors & College of Charleston.

5. Wraggborough | $700k-$3M+

A bit of an oddball this one, but don’t take that in a negative way. I like it here. It’s just a little..quirky maybe?

There are some large old homes, some renovated, some not. It has nice wide tree-lined streets. The Gaillard Auditorium, Charleston Museum, Marion Square & The Dewberry Hotel are on your doorstep. Social housing is on the periphery.

6. Radcliffeborough | $700k- $3M+

Close to the college & MUSC, so there are plenty of college kids around here, but lots of renovations have been done in the area and it’s very close to the action, without being directly in it.

If you have a student going to the College of Charleston or MUSC, you could buy a property here for 4 years as a good investment.

7. Cannonborough/Elliotborough | $800k-$3M

Home Sweet Home !!! This is where I live, and it’s easily my favorite neighborhood, but of course, I am biased after 15 years here.

It’s just off King Street, but a world away from the chain stores on it. It has so many quirky stores, I love that I knowevery coffee shop/bakery/grocery store owner within 3 blocks.

It has some surprisingly modern architecture, with recent infill projects. MUSC is two blocks from my house.

Short-term rentals are allowed here, so if you’re looking for a place to invest, this may give some of the highest returns.

I own an Airbnb on Cannon Street, stay here during your visit.

If you’re looking for a good short-term rental investment in Charleston, this is the location to buy it. Rules may get stricter on short-term rentals, but many of the properties in this area will be grandfathered in under long-standing rules allowing BnBs in the area, long before “Air” was added to the name

8. Eastside Charleston | $600k- $2M

The Eastside is still being redeveloped, with some controversy over the amount of gentrification that is happening on the Eastside.

I wouldn’t call the Eastside beautiful, just yet. It’s getting there though. The smart money snapped up these houses ten years ago for less than $100k.

With all the infill development that has taken place, it’s a good spot to find a newer maintenance-free house. New thingshappening all the time on the East side. It’s what Cannonborough was 15 years ago.

9. Aquarium/Gadsenboro Park Area | $600k-$3M

If you want a condo with water views and maybe even a boat slip, this area is a top option for you.

This area stands on its own, removed from other downtown neighborhoods by the port and busy East Bay Street, but there’s been a lot of money put into it recently. Gadsenboro Park is a nice area to walk around. The SC Aquarium is here, along with the boat to Fort Sumter. There is also the Maritime Center, so if boating is your hobby, you’ll like it here.

It’s mostly condos here, so it is good for a second part-time, maintenance-free home. The Dockside development has some of the best water views downtown.

Uptown Charleston

This page is about downtown Charleston below the Crosstown. This area includes the historic area, the main King Street shopping/dining areas. I have another page for the upper part of the Charleston peninsula. It's quite different so it gets a page of its own, be sure to read it Uptown Charleston.