Retail rents and leasing activity in Charleston, S.C. reveal growing demand for retail accessibility

graph of Charleston, South Carolina Q1 2025 retail leasing activity and average asking rents by submarket
- The Outlying Berkeley County submarket recorded its highest Q1 leasing activity in history, fueled by the growing demand for retail accessibility in thriving communities like Nexton, Goose Creek, and Hanahan.
- Average asking rents in the northern submarkets—North Charleston, Outlying Berkeley County, and Dorchester County—are approximately $9 per square foot (psf) per year lower than those in the remaining submarkets. These submarkets continue to see significantly higher leasing activity, indicating a strong tenant shift toward cost-effective space over premium location.
- In Q1 2025, the average retail asking rent was $27.95 psf per year (NNN), while average leasing activity across submarkets totaled 19,661 square feet.
US-SC-CRW Charleston