Charleston, SC Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Charleston, SC: What You Need to Know

Charleston, founded in 1670, is South Carolina’s oldest city and the bedrock of Southern culture.

Local History

Charleston was originally called Charles Towne, in honor of King Charles II of England. In 1783, around the end of the American Revolutionary War, it was incorporated as Charleston. The city led the fight for the Southern states from the start of the Confederacy. Indeed, the first shots of the Civil War were fired in Charleston. On April 21, 1861, Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston, which was held by federal troops. After a 34-hour bombardment, the Confederates under Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard captured the fort. 

Things to Do in Charleston

Plantations were crucial in the Southern economy prior to the Civil War. You’ll find some of the region’s most beautiful plantations in Charleston such as Boone Hall Plantation (1681), one of the oldest working farms in the country; Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (1676), which includes a petting zoo and nature trails; and Middleton Place (1755), former home of Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. In Charleston, you can take a guided eco-tour that combines outdoor fun and environmental education. Learn about the nature of coastal South Carolina, local estuaries, maritime forests, salt marshes, and tidal creeks.

Cost of Living

Charleston, the seat of Charleston County, has a population of 137,566. The median gross rent is $1,208. The city’s cost of living rate and housing costs are 1.8% and 14.8% higher than the national average respectively. On the positive, food cost is 13.9% lower than the national average. The Palmetto State implements a progressive income tax rate of 0% to 7% depending on one’s income bracket. It collects 6% to 9% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Thinking of renting in Charleston? Renovation of existing apartments and construction of new units are proceeding at a record pace, especially downtown. The city’s growth, however, is driving more people to move to suburbs such as Mount Pleasant and James Island, both a short drive from Charleston and known for their excellent public schools. 

Schools

The city has five institutions of higher learning, including the Citadel of Military College of South Carolina (3,763 students). Founded in 1842, the Citadel attracts students from across the United States plus a dozen countries. The city has 41 public schools with an enrolment of 21,322 students. Buist Academy for Advanced Studies and James Island Charter High School are among the top-ranked schools in Charleston.