The climate of greater Charleston is considered "temperate to subtropical." On average, the region enjoys 230 days of sunshine each year, and the average growing season lasts 294 days.

Latitude	32° 54' N
Longitude	80° 02' W
Average Daily Temperature	65.3° F; 18.5° C
Average Daily High	75.9° F; 24.4° C
Average Daily Low	54.7° F; 12.6° C
Average Days with Sunshine	63%
Average Precipitation	51.53"; 130.89 cm
Average Relative Humidity	86% (AM); 56% (PM)

Monthly Averages, Charleston International Airport, Charleston S.C. MSA

Month	Temp (°F)	Temp (°C)	Relative Humidity (AM)	Relative Humidity (PM)	Precipitation (inches)	Precipitation (centimeters)
January	49.2	9.6	83%	55%	3.20	8.13
February	51.3	10.7	82%	53%	3.17	8.05
March	57.6	14.2	83%	50%	3.97	10.08
April	64.9	18.3	84%	49%	2.70	6.86
May	72.6	22.6	85%	53%	3.51	8.92
June	78.6	25.9	86%	59%	5.77	14.66
July	81.4	27.5	88%	62%	7.33	18.62
August	80.6	27.0	90%	63%	6.81	17.30
September	76.3	24.6	90%	62%	5.41	13.74
October	66.9	19.4	89%	56%	2.97	7.54
November	57.9	14.4	87%	53%	2.30	5.84
December	50.8	10.4	84%	55%	2.96	7.52
Annual	65.7	18.7	86%	56%	50.08	127.20
Source: Southeast Regional Climate Center, 3/2009.

Seasonal Conditions

In the Spring, surfers hit the beaches and Charleston's festival season is in full gear.	Spring - In the Charleston region, the spring season is the most spectacular time of the year. From early March into early June, azaleas, dogwoods and other spring garden flowers bloom in abundance. Average springtime temperatures range from 58° F (14.4° C) to 72° F (22.2° C).
Summer is the time for local farmer's markets and days spent on the water.	Summer - Summers in the Charleston region are warm and humid. Average daily temperatures range from 78° F (25.6° C) to 82° F (27.8° C), with daily highs averaging between 87° F (30.6° C) to 91° F (32.8° C). The area's coastal location results in a cooling effect, which often helps keep temperatures several degrees cooler than those inland. Summer is the area's wettest season, with 41% of total rainfall occurring during this period. However, cooling afternoon showers or thunderstorms are responsible for much of this rain.
Nothing says 'Fall' more than oyster roasts and other Lowcountry favorites.	Autumn - From the start of autumn in late September continuing into early November, the weather is typically sunny and temperature extremes are rare. Pre-winter cold spells generally occur by late November. In September, temperatures average 76° F (24.4° C). By November, the average daily temperature has fallen to 58° F (14.4° C).
Winter is a special time for Charleston locals, with intimate gatherings of friends and neighbors.	Winter - Winter in the Charleston region starts in December and runs through February. The winter season is typically mild, with periods of rain and a slight chance of snow flurries in late December and early January. Daily temperatures average between 47° F (8.3° C) and 52° F (11.1° C). The region generally experiences its first freeze in early December, with the last freeze in late February. Temperatures of 20° F (6.7° C) or less rarely occur.

Compared to many other thriving coastal communities, Charleston offers a reasonable cost of living according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index. This quarterly survey compares relative living costs for middle-management households among U.S. metropolitan areas and cities. Charleston residents also get a break when it comes to taxes, with the area's state and local tax burden significantly lower than the national average.

Charleston, S.C. MSA Cost of Living Index

All Items (Composite)	96.8
Grocery Items	100.0
Housing	89.4
Utilities	100.0
Transportation	98.0
Health Care	105.4
Miscellaneous Goods and Services	99.7
U.S. Cities Baseline Index = 100
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2008 Annual Average.

S.C. Tax Burden Lower than U.S. Average

The South Carolina tax average is lower than the United States for property, sales & use, individual and corporate income.

For more information on personal income, sales and property taxes, visit our taxes and incentives section.

Tax Burden, 2006

	South Carolina	United States
State and Local Taxes, Total (Per Capita)	$2,899	$4,020
Property	$923	$1,208
Sales & Use	$765	$949
Individual Income	$635	$903
Corporate Income	$69	$178
State and Local Taxes per $1,000 of Personal Income	$102.76	$116.22
Source: TaxFoundation.org, 2008

With more than 2,000 physicians, 10 major medical facilities and a strong commitment to medical research, the Charleston region offers a vital health and wellness community. Three nationally recognized hospital systems serve the region, as well as numerous medical centers considered among the best in the United States. Ambulatory care centers and branches of these medical centers are located throughout the region.

Area medical facilities offer a full range of specialized diagnostic and patient care options, including:

• The only designated Level 1 Trauma Center in coastal South Carolina
• A national top 10 children's hospital for emergency care
• An emergency medical transport service, available 24 hours a day, to transfer patients by helicopter, fixed-wing airplane or ground ambulance services
• The most complete line of cardiac and vascular services in the state of South Carolina
• Comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer care
• One of the nation's top 10 psychiatric research centers in terms of research funding
• The only center in South Carolina performing a full range of transplants, including heart, kidney, pancreas, liver, cornea, small bowel and bone marrow
• A national top 40 hospital in the area of digestive diseases
• The only PET scanner in coastal South Carolina

Major Hospitals & Medical Facilities

Hospitals / Medical Facilities	Contact	Beds/Employees
East Cooper Medical Center	www.eastcoopermedctr.com	104 beds; 600 employees
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)	www.musc.edu	750 beds; 11,000 employees
Ralph H. Johnson V.A. Medical Center	www.med.va.gov	145 beds; 1,000 employees
Roper St. Francis Healthcare (Two area hospital facilities)	www.ropersaintfrancis.com	594 beds; 3,300 employees
Trident Health System (Two area hospital facilities)	www.tridenthealthsystem.com	390 beds; 2,050 employees
Naval Health Clinic Charleston	www.nhchasn.med.navy.mil	184 employees

Source: Center for Business Research, 11/2008

In addition to the wide availability of Western medicine, this region also supports an abundant range of wellness programs, yoga and exercise centers, and a college for massage therapy.

For a comprehensive list of fitness centers, chiropractors and salons/spas in the area, please visit PalmettoBizBuzz.

With 27 incorporated communities, residential areas range from the rural towns of Jamestown and St. George to the vibrant, urban areas of Charleston and North Charleston. The growing demand for housing has spawned a number of new residential opportunities throughout the region, and most price ranges are well represented. For current residential real estate listings, visit the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

Charleston S.C. MSA Residential Home Sales by Zip Code Area

Area Name	Zip Code	Residential Units Sold, 2008	Median Selling Price, 2008	Average Selling Price, 2008
Total Charleston S.C. MSA		8,689	$202,000	$294,604
Adams Run	29426	3	$153,163	$178,054
Awendaw	29429	4	$693,750	$708,750
Bonneau	29431	41	$119,000	$166,112
Charleston Peninsula	29401	140	$772,500	$1,173,870
Charleston Peninsula	29403	209	$320,000	$375,071
Cross	29436	15	$55,000	$85,940
Daniel Island/ Wando/Cainhoy	29492	323	$366,739	$472,824
Dorchester	29437	5	$93,500	$144,680
Edisto Island	29438	55	$450,000	$514,322
Folly Beach	29439	58	$499,000	$617,189
Goose Creek	29445	747	$159,304	$169,867
Hanahan	29410	207	$205,981	$203,786
Harleyville	29448	1	$68,001	$68,001
Hollywood	29449	32	$199,950	$361,313
Huger	29450	7	$175,100	$308,721
Isle Of Palms	29451	165	$870,900	$992,367
James Island	29412	451	$246,900	$277,873
Jamestown	29453	4	$149,190	$238,344
Johns Island	29455	305	$159,990	$451,524
Ladson	29456	423	$152,500	$154,742
McClellanville	29458	12	$185,000	$214,942
Moncks Corner	29461	363	$171,697	$179,869
Mount Pleasant	29464	696	$316,250	$459,354
Mount Pleasant	29466	640	$330,059	$393,445
North Charleston	29405	174	$154,000	$174,906
North Charleston	29406	215	$148,000	$145,865
North Charleston	29418	165	$145,000	$152,549
North Charleston	29420	338	$166,380	$199,354
Pineville	29468	3	$55,000	$141,633
Pinopolis	29469	2	$242,500	$242,500
Ravenel	29470	14	$160,000	$249,564
Reevesville	29471	7	$82,000	$88,057
Ridgeville	29472	20	$237,500	$257,207
St. George	29477	19	$83,000	$97,974
St. Stephen	29479	13	$79,500	$87,946
Sullivans Island	29482	15	$1,400,000	$1,798,267
Summerville	29483	1,061	$171,000	$188,871
Summerville	29485	822	$189,995	$204,035
Wadmalaw Island	29487	9	$543,750	$546,639
West Ashley	29407	301	$209,500	$254,639
West Ashley	29414	605	$214,000	$231,631
Source: Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, 4/2009.

Charleston S.C. MSA Apartments, Average Monthly Rent by Sub-Market (Feb 2009)

Submarket	1-bedroom unit	2-bedroom unit	3-bedroom unit
Downtown Charleston	$683	$722	$724
West of the Ashley River	$658	$757	$884
Goose Creek	$667	$725	$848
James Island	$822	$949	$1,151
Mount Pleasant	$825	$973	$1,138
North Charleston	$625	$686	$808
Summerville	$634	$746	$867
Total Charleston S.C. MSA	$676	$763	$883
Source: Real Data Inc., www.aptindex.com. The Charleston S.C. MSA has more than 28,000 rental apartment units. Average monthly rent prices exclude all utilities except water.

For information on current residential real estate offerings, visit the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors.

More than 70,000 households in the Charleston region include children under the age of 18 (totaling more than 136,000 children). For two-thirds of those children, working parents mean a high demand for reliable child care services. In addition to private day care centers and in-home child care, many public schools offer pre-school programs. To search for child care services in the region, please visit PalmettoBizBuzz or learn more about our area's school programs.

From the mouths of Charleston parents regarding child care day services in the area:

"I really feel my son has advanced since joining this school. The staff cares about the children and they all seem to love their jobs."

"My children have been going here for two years. We are very happy. My children are challenged daily by the age appropriate curriculum and loved by the caring staff members."

"Great teachers, caring atmosphere, structured curriculum, wonderful extras. Clean, bright in a quiet church environment. My children have flourished here and made lasting friendships."

For many area residents, religion and spirituality play a central role in their lives. Charleston was founded on the notion of religious freedom, and many historic churches and synagogues are still in use. Often referred to as the "Holy City," newer churches and places of worship are located throughout the region.

For a comprehensive list of churches and religious centers in the area, please visit PalmettoBizBuzz.

Church steeples can be seen throughout Charleston's skyline adding the historic charm and architectural beauty of the region.

From the mouths of Charleston residents regarding churches and worship centers in the area:

"Great church community! Lots of love and fellowship and lots of caring can be found at this church! Good, practical teaching and great music! Wonderful 35-plus singles ministry!"

"Nice, low-key friendly place to look for a new church. Nice people - a younger 20s to early 50s type group at the modern service, lots of emphasis on family and children's classes/Sunday school. Excellent pre-school is open to non-members, too."

"Wonderful church family! Very friendly, services range from Sat evenings for the younger folks to traditional Sun 8 a.m. svcs for the older folks and regular services at 8:45 & 11 for everyone else. Music groups of all sorts and ages available, sports groups as well. If you are looking for a church home this is the place!"

Local media websites are excellent resources for learning about business and community issues in the Charleston region.

Newspapers / Online News

The Post and Courier - Published each morning, this is the Charleston region's daily newspaper.
Charleston Currents - Published twice-weekly, this online-only publication, offers insightful community comment and good news on events. Charleston Regional Business Journal - Produced twice monthly, this journal chronicles business activities in the region.
Charleston City Paper - The Charleston area's alternative weekly newspaper; includes news, features and entertainment.
Summerville Journal Scene - Published twice each week, this newspaper covers the growing Summerville area.
Swamp Fox - This online resource compiles news of the knowledge economy in South Carolina.
The Digitel - Charleston's complete community news source providing commentary and insight into local media stories

Blogs

Charleston Inspired - A grassroots effort to promote the Charleston regional branding initiative, Charleston Inspired.
Charleston's Most Unique - A word of mouth directory for businesses, people, places & events.
Charleston Magazine - Information about Charleston 'society', 'style' and 'Spoleto Festival USA'.

Magazines

Charleston Magazine - This glossy, four-color monthly publication provides lifestyle articles for locals and frequent visitors.
Skirt! - This monthly magazine is focused on issues of importance to women.
The Charleston Review - This bi-monthly publication highlights the luxuries of the region, focusing on local business, arts, dining, events, travel, and home and garden.

Television Stations

WCSC TV 5 - Local CBS affiliate.
WCIV TV 4 - Local ABC affiliate.
WCBD TV 2 - Local NBC affiliate.

News Radio

730 WSC - Local station featuring a news / talk format.
1250 WTMA - Local station featuring a news / talk format.
94.3 WSC FM - Local station featuring a news / talk format.

For a full list of local media, visit SCIway.net.