01
In Charleston, Office density becomes the tiebreaker.
Trusted Coffee Shop Analytics
Best Coffee Shop Location in Charleston
Data from Charleston shows very high expansion potential: 151K residents, $62,000 average income, and commercial space averaging $28/sqft in high-competition zones.
Launching a coffee shop in Charleston requires $125K capital against $62K household income (2.0x multiple).
74/100 opportunity score
799,000 metro residents
$62,000 average income
65/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
151K
Market Population
$62K
Avg Income
High
Commercial Activity
5
Core Sectors
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Coffee Shop Location in Charleston
Our location intelligence platform analyzes Charleston's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.
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Coffee Shop Finder
Charleston, United States
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✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
✓ Optimal zones
✓ Revenue estimate
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
799,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
How Charleston Scores for Coffee Shops
What makes Charleston distinct for coffee shop operators
74
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Strong Opportunity
Financial Overview
Average Startup Cost
$125,000
Industry Success Rate
38%
Expected ROI Timeline
12-24 months
Customer Draw Radius
1,200m
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Unique Market Intelligence
Why Charleston for Coffee Shop?
objective location benchmarking
Market Position
Charleston positioning
Launching a coffee shop in Charleston requires $125K capital against $62K household income (2.0x multiple).
Operating in Charleston: $28/sqft rent, 79-point foot traffic, $28,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.
The 0.8M-person metro with $62,000 household incomes represents $50B in market potential.
Competitive landscape shows high density with very high momentum (2.0x investment ratio).
Success factors combine to 82/100: cost ratio 2.0x, traffic score 79, rent $28/sqft.
Local economy driven by Tourism, Port Services—households averaging $62K.
Steady 2.5% growth with high competition indicates mature market conditions.
$125K startup. 24 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for coffee shops
Score: 74.85/100. 0.8M people. $62K income.
Coffee Shop costs $125K to open. Income ratio: 0.50x.
Traffic: 79. Rent: $28/sqft. Income: $62K.
Very High growth. High competition. Score: 74.85.
0.8M metro. $28/sqft rent. 79 foot traffic.
$125K startup. $28,000/mo rent. 24 income-months to recoup.
Score 74.85. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
$49.5B total income across 0.8M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Charleston
Very High growth. High competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 79. Rent: $28/sqft. $28,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$62K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.
Coffee Shop: $125K to open. 24 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 79. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
0.8M metro. Focus on one location first.
$336,000/yr rent. 541.9% of local income. Factor that in.
Very High growth absorbs High competition. Worth entering.
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Good - Favorable Window
Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.
Timing score: 65/100
- 🚀 Very high growth trajectory - first-mover advantage available
- 🔥 High competition - differentiation critical
- 🚶 Good foot traffic (79) - organic visibility
Seasonal Levers
- Summer iced drinks
- Winter specialty drinks
- Student seasons
National Benchmarks
How Charleston surpasses
calibrated to $62K demographics
Household earnings of $62,000 in Charleston represent a 53% premium versus the $40,492 market average.
Operating costs at $28/sqft represent a 14% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.
Charleston's 0.8M metro area is 79% smaller than typical (3.8M), offering focused market dynamics.
Coffee Shop Market Analysis for Charleston
Why Charleston for Coffee Shops?
- Metro population of 799,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $62,000 supports coffee shop spending
- High business density indicates healthy economic activity
- Strong morning traffic opportunities throughout the city
- Strong office density opportunities throughout the city
Coffee Shop Success Factors
Morning traffic
Essential
Office density
Essential
Competition
Essential
Parking
Essential
Ambiance potential
Essential
Wi-Fi infrastructure
Essential
Coffee Shop Market Insights for Charleston
Educated professionals provide strong coffee shop customer base
Tech industry provides ideal customer base for coffee shops and co-working spaces
Seasonal Considerations for Charleston
Summer iced drinks
Winter specialty drinks
Student seasons
Where to Set Up in Charleston
Where $28/sqft meets 79/100 foot traffic in Charleston
Downtown Charleston
High Potential
Highest foot traffic in city
Premium pricing potential
Diverse customer base
Business District
Strong Weekday
Office worker demographics
Peak lunch & after-work hours
Catering opportunities
Suburban Areas
Growth Area
Family-oriented demographics
Lower competition density
Ample parking available
Charleston vs Other United States Cities for Coffee Shops
Market Signals
Coffee Shop Insights Unique to Charleston
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Compared to Atlanta, Charleston scores -16 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
03
Charleston achieves 75/100 on coffee shop viability metrics, leveraging $62,000 income levels and 79/100 foot flow.
04
Steady 2.5% growth with high competition indicates mature market conditions.
05
Very High growth. High competition. Score: 74.85.
FAQ
Coffee Shop FAQs for Charleston
Each answer references real Charleston data so this section is unique across the site.
What makes the Charleston market distinctive?
Steady 2.5% growth with high competition indicates mature market conditions.
What operational lever matters most for coffee shops in Charleston?
Office density should lead your playbook when launching in Charleston.
How does Charleston compare to other coffee shop markets?
Compared to Atlanta, Charleston scores -16 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
What playbook works best for coffee shops in Charleston?
$336,000/yr rent. 541.9% of local income. Factor that in.
Data Sources & Methodology
Our analysis combines multiple authoritative data sources
Economic Data
- World Bank Open Data
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- National Census Bureaus
Business Intelligence
- Ease of Doing Business Index
- Global Innovation Index
- Industry Association Reports
Demographics
- UN Population Division
- Municipal Open Data Portals
- Consumer Expenditure Surveys
Real Estate
- Commercial Real Estate Listings
- CoStar Market Analytics
- Local Zoning Databases
Methodology Note: Our opportunity scores are calculated using a weighted algorithm that considers population density, income levels, competition saturation, commercial rent costs, and industry-specific success factors. Data is refreshed quarterly from authoritative sources. Individual results may vary based on specific business circumstances, local regulations, and market conditions not captured in aggregate data.
Ready to Open Your Coffee Shop in Charleston?
Good - Favorable Window with a 74/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 79/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.