Real Estate/Cost of Living

North Charleston offers a large and available work force for virtually all areas of industry. One of the area's leading economic strengths is the real estate industry which continues to grow and expand each year. More than 30 neighborhoods are represented by associations in North Charleston, including a representative Citizens Advisory Council. Stretching over 60 square miles are commercial, industrial, manufacturing, corporate and governmental agencies, including the redevelopment of Charleston's Naval Base. The public developers of the area include the following: Charleston Regional Development Alliance, Charleston-Berkeley-Dorchester Counties, the Greater Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce Business Development Division, the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority (RDA), and the State of South Carolina. All of these developers work together to assist new, relocating and expanding businesses.

ACCRA Cost of Living Index Charleston Metro Area

ACCRA Cost of Living Comparison for Selected Metro Areas

Metro Area	Index (All Items)
Atlanta, GA	97.4
Birmingham, AL	98.5
Charleston, SC	98.5
Charlotte, NC	93.1
Columbia, SC	97.3
Jacksonville, FL	90.7
Knoxville, TN	88.0
Raleigh, NC	98.0
Richmond VA	99.9
Washington, DC	138.9

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2nd Quarter 2004

Tax Burden, 2005	South Carolina	United States
State & Local Taxes Per Capita, total	$2,779	$3,698
Property	$880	$1,132
Sales & Use	$714	$887
Individual Income	$634	$813
Corporate Income	$58	$145
State & Local Taxes per $1,000 of personal income	$103.85	$112.84

Source: TaxFoundation.org using US Census Bureau data, 2007