Charleston SC Housing Market: Latest Prices and Days on Market

Each figure measures something different, so check the definition before you compare them. A median sale price is a sale-based middle point, while an average home value is a modeled estimate, and mixing them up can make the market look cheaper or pricier than it is.

Use the dates and geography attached to every number to match each figure to your own question, whether you are buying, selling, or renting.

Why do Charleston price figures differ so much?

Charleston's three headline prices measure different things, so they will not match even when they cover the same period. The median sale price tells you what homes actually sold for, the average home value is a modeled estimate, and the median listing price shows what sellers are asking.

Median sale price is the middle of closed sales: half sold for more and half for less. Because it is a middle value, a few very expensive sales do not pull it up the way they would pull up an average. In the mid-2026 review, the Charleston median sale price was $455,167, up 2.1% from a year earlier ^[1]. For a buyer, this is the closest measure of what a typical home sold for.

Average home value works differently. Zillow's figure is an estimate for typical homes, not a price any home sold for. As of August 31, 2026, Zillow put the average Charleston home value at $591,821 ^[2]. That is why it can sit well above the median sale price without either number being wrong. Use it to see the broad trend, not to predict what one house will bring.

Median listing price tracks asking prices. Realtor.com puts Charleston's median listing price at $616K ^[3]. Asking prices can sit above or below final sale prices, since sellers may accept less or list low to draw offers. A listing figure shows where sellers start, not where deals close.

When you compare figures, line up the measure first. If you are deciding what to offer, the median sale price is the most useful anchor. If you are pricing your own home, look at the median listing price and then at recent closed sales near you.

How much have Charleston prices changed?

Charleston's asking prices and modeled home values have risen only modestly over the past year, but the three main measures cover different things over different periods.

The median listing price is about $616,000 and has risen 2.4% year over year ^[3]. That is the price sellers start at, not the price a home finally sells for. A small rise in asking prices suggests sellers are not pushing their prices up much, but it does not tell you what buyers will pay.

Zillow reports the average home value up 1.3% over the past year as of August 31, 2026 ^[2]. This is a modeled estimate for typical homes, not a recorded sale. The figure will not match the value of any one house, so use it as a general trend.

Redfin reports the average house price up 20.6% since a prior period ^[4]. Redfin does not say how long that period is, so this figure cannot be read as a yearly change. A gain that large over an unknown window should not be compared directly with the one-year figures above.

Read each one on its own terms first, and the picture stays clear. Treat the Redfin number with the most caution, since its window is unknown.

How do the main Charleston sources compare?

Charleston figures come from different measures and dates, so match the measure and date before you compare them. The table shows what each report gives.

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Because it is an average, a few expensive sales can lift it well above the typical home.

It reflects asking prices, so it can sit above or below what homes finally sell for.

This is a modeled value for typical homes, not a sale price.

Because it counts closed sales, it is the closest of these figures to what buyers actually paid.

Without a date, you cannot place it in time, so use it only as a loose reference.

The sale-price figures differ widely, but that gap comes from different averages and medians, not from one market moving in two directions. Start with the dated mid-year review, and compare the other figures only when their measure matches your question.

How many homes are for sale, and how fast are they selling?

Charleston has more homes for sale, and more of them are selling. In the mid-2026 review, 1,416 homes sold, up 5.7% year over year ^[1]. Active listings reached 7,535, also up year over year, by 9.2% ^[1].

For a buyer, that means more homes to compare than a tight market offers. For a seller, it means more competing listings. Sales and listings rising together show that supply is growing alongside demand.

That pattern does not by itself tell you whether prices will rise or fall. Inventory and sales measure activity, not the direction of prices. You need a separate price measure to answer that question. For more detail, see Columbia SC Housing Market: Prices, Inventory and Sales Pace.

How long a home takes to sell is a separate question. One report puts the typical time to sell at about 49 days ^[5]. That report is undated, so treat the figure as a rough guide rather than a current measure of any neighborhood.

Where to see the supply breakdown

The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors publishes market reports that segment housing supply by price and property type ^[6]. A single total of listings hides which price ranges hold most of the homes. The segmented view shows where the supply sits. It also helps to read Greenville, SC Housing Market: Prices, Inventory and Rents.

Is the Charleston market competitive right now?

Redfin rates the Charleston market as somewhat competitive, with a score of 42 out of 100 ^[4]. For you, that means some buyers will compete for well-priced homes, but a competitive score does not mean every listing draws multiple offers. Look at how each home is priced against similar sales before you decide how hard to push.

What a 2026 forecast expects

A 2026 housing forecast for Charleston and Mount Pleasant expects the second half of the year to reward property quality, accurate pricing and disciplined underwriting more than broad market timing ^[7]. This is the forecaster's opinion, not a measured result, so treat it as one view among several.

In practice, a seller who prices a home close to what comparable homes are selling for may get more interest than one who waits for the market to turn. A buyer who focuses on the house's condition and price, rather than guessing the next move, is following the same logic.

What this does not tell you

The competition score describes current conditions, and the forecast describes an expected pattern. Neither one guarantees where Charleston prices will go next. Use them to judge how aggressive your offer or your asking price should be, not to predict a gain or a loss.

How should you use these numbers for your own decision?

Use the figure that matches your question. If you are buying, look at the price homes are selling for. If you are selling, look at sale prices and how long homes take to sell. If you are renting, use rent figures, not home values.

Before you act, check two things on every number: the date it covers, and whether it describes the city of Charleston, Charleston County, or a wider metro area. A county figure can sound like a city figure, and a metro figure can hide a much different neighborhood. The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors publishes market reports with an overview of key real estate trends ^[6]. Pull the latest edition before you make an offer or set a list price. For more detail, see Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston SC: A Balanced Overview.

Sources

1. Charleston, South Carolina mid-year housing market review
2. Charleston, SC Housing Market: 2026 Home Prices & Trends
3. Charleston, SC Housing Market & Rental trends
4. Charleston, SC Housing Market
5. Charleston Real Estate Market Everything You Need to Know
6. Market Reports - Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
7. 2026 Housing Forecast | Charleston + Mount Pleasant (SC)