How Charleston Home Values Have Transformed (2021–2025)

If there is one headline for the Charleston real estate market as we head deeper into 2026, it is this: consistent, long-term wealth generation.

The newly released 2025 Annual Report on the Charleston Area Housing Market provides a comprehensive look at median price trends. While 2025 was a year of "normalization" with a modest +2.4% year-over-year growth, the real story lies in the massive appreciation occurring over the last five years.

The Big Picture: A 22.3% Surge

Since 2021, the median sales price in the Charleston area has climbed from $349,000 to nearly $427,000. For homeowners, this confirms that the Lowcountry remains one of the safest places to park capital.

• 2021: $349,000
• 2025: $426,947

The 2025 "Winners": Where Prices Spiked

While the regional average showed steady growth, specific neighborhoods defied the cooling trends often associated with high interest rates.

• Isle of Palms (IOP): The clear standout for 2025. IOP saw a staggering 16.1% increase in just one year, jumping to $1.8M.
• Lower Mount Pleasant: Prices surged 11.4%, bringing the median price just shy of the million-dollar mark at $986,000.
• West Ashley: This area outperformed the regional average with a 6.0% increase ($513,783).

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The Luxury Correction: A Necessary Breather

The data reveals a "tale of two price points." While IOP surged, other ultra-high-end markets saw price corrections in 2025, likely due to increased inventory.

Long-Term Growth Leaders (2021–2025)

When zooming out to the 5-year horizon, the appreciation numbers are staggering.

• Kiawah Island: 79.9%
• Lower Mt. Pleasant: 67.0%
• Downtown Charleston: 63.3%
• Johns Island: 52.2%

Where to Find Value in 2026

For buyers feeling priced out of the Islands, the data highlights accessible pockets with strong potential:

1. Hanahan: Median price of $424,000 (up 4.7%).
2. North Charleston: Median price of $330,000—the best value-per-square-foot in the region.

The Market Perspective: The Mountain Hike

Think of the Charleston market like a mountain hiking expedition.

The 5-year view is the journey from base camp ($349k) to the current summit ($427k). Everyone who started five years ago is enjoying a great view from a much higher elevation. While the trail flattened in 2025, and some (like Sullivan's Island) stopped to catch their breath, everyone is still significantly higher up the mountain than when they started.

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