Updated monthly · September 2026 data
Charleston Housing Market: Prices, Inventory, and Trends
The Charleston housing market still leans toward sellers, but much less than it did in spring. The tri-county area had about 3.8 months of supply in September 2026, against 5 to 6 months for a balanced market. Typical prices rose 2% to 4% year over year in Charleston and Berkeley counties and slipped about 5% in Dorchester.
Median prices by county
| County | Median sold price | vs. Sept 2025 | Avg. days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $620,000 | +2.2% | 52 |
| Berkeley | $415,000 | +4.0% | 52 |
| Dorchester | $365,000 | -5.2% | 44 |
Medians tell the real story here. Averages jumped 14% in Charleston County and 20% in Berkeley because more high-end homes closed, not because every home gained that much.
Sales and inventory
The tri-county area closed 1,271 sales in September, down 1.2% from a year ago, while new contracts rose 4.6% to 1,185. Active inventory ended the month at 4,880 listings, up 1.6%, and new listings fell 2.4% to 1,776.
Area snapshots
| Area | Sales | Median sold price | Months of supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Pleasant | 146 | $945,000 | 2.9 |
| James Island | 49 | $654,365 | 3.4 |
| Summerville addresses | 390 | $395,995 | 3.8 |
What it means for you
- Sellers: Buyers are pickier than in spring. Charleston County sellers got 97.2% of their final list price but only 94.7% of their original list price, so pricing right the first time matters. See how to price your home and the seller’s guide.
- Buyers: You have more room to negotiate on homes that have sat, especially at higher price points. Get preapproved first; the financing page has current rates and a payment calculator.
The full breakdown is in the September 2026 market update.
Source
Charleston Trident MLS data via Flexmls for September 1 to 30, 2026, residential properties in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, compared with September 2025. Pulled October 2, 2026. Late-reported closings can shift figures slightly.
Every market report
- Charleston Area Market Update: September 2026 Monthly Recap
- Charleston Area Market Update: Week of July 5-11, 2026
- Charleston Area Market Update: June 2026 Monthly Recap
- Charleston Area Market Update: Week of June 21-27, 2026
- Charleston Housing Market Update: Week of June 14, 2026
- Charleston Housing Market Update: Week of June 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is Charleston a buyer's or seller's market right now?
Still a seller-leaning market as of September 2026, with about 3.8 months of supply. That is closer to balanced than it was in spring, so buyers have more leverage on homes that have been listed a while.
What is the median home price in Charleston?
As of September 2026, the median sold price was $620,000 in Charleston County, $415,000 in Berkeley County, and $365,000 in Dorchester County.
Are home prices going down in Charleston?
Not broadly. Medians rose 2% to 4% year over year in Charleston and Berkeley counties. Dorchester dipped about 5% in September, which is one month on about 250 sales and worth watching rather than worrying about.
How long do homes take to sell in Charleston?
In September 2026, sold homes averaged 52 days on market in Charleston and Berkeley counties and 44 days in Dorchester.