You and your visiting family will enjoy a carriage ride through the historic district, a trip out to Fort Sumter, a day spent at Patriot's Point and shopping on King Street and in The Market. Your grandchildren will love building castles in the sand and frolicking in the surf at any of the great white sand beaches that line the coast. Opportunities for mature adult involvement in Greater Charleston's volunteer programs are many.

Cost of Living Comparisons in the Charleston Metro Area

Selected Metro Area--All Items Index
Atlanta, GA----------------95.7
Mobile, AL---------- 94.9
Charleston Area---------- 98.7
Charlotte, NC--------------88.2
Columbia, SC--------------88.4
Jacksonville, FL----------99.4
Boston, MA----------------135.9
Memphis, TN------------89.7
Richmond, VA-------------104.1
Raleigh-Durham,NC-----100.4
Washington, DC----------137.0

The composite index is based on six components. The component index figures for the Charleston area are as follows:
Components Index
Grocery Items---------102.3
Housing---------------90.6
Utilities----------------102.2
Transportation------- 96.8
Health Care-----------109.5
Misc. Goods & Services---102.1
All Items--------------98.7

Apartment Rental
The average monthly rental cost for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, unfurnished apartment, excluding all utilities except water is $896.00

Home Prices
The following is the estimated purchase price for a comparable home in selected metropolitan cities:

Selected Metro Area Avg Home Price
Atlanta, GA   $283,243
Mobile, AL   $238,500
Charleston Area  $274,887
Charlotte, NC   $233,600
Columbia, SC   $222,050
Jacksonville, FL   $288,544
Memphis, TN   $223,948
Richmond, VA   $343,420
Raleigh-Durham, NC   $305,557
Washington, DC   $647,135

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index 2nd Quarter, 2007