01
Restaurant opportunity score in Charleston hits 75/100 thanks to $62,000 incomes and 79/100 foot traffic.
Trusted Restaurant Analytics
Best Restaurant Location in Charleston
The restaurant opportunity in Charleston factors 799.0K addressable market, $28/sqft occupancy cost, and the sector's 18% survival baseline.
Capital requirements for Charleston: $255K startup facing $62K earning households at 4.1x leverage.
74/100 opportunity score
799,000 metro residents
$62,000 average income
65/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
151K
Urban Residents
$62K
Income Level
High
Commercial Load
5
Sector Count
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Charleston
Use our AI-powered map to discover the perfect street address in Charleston. Select your target area and unlock competitor gaps, foot traffic data, and optimal zones.
Free analysis • No credit card required
Restaurant Finder
Charleston, United States
Unlock instantly:
✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
✓ Optimal zones
✓ Revenue estimate
Click the map to select your target area
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
Viability Index: Restaurant in Charleston
Exclusive intelligence from Charleston's commercial zones
74
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Solid Opportunity
Financial Overview
Average Startup Cost
$255,000
Industry Success Rate
18%
Expected ROI Timeline
18-36 months
Customer Draw Radius
800m
Free 30-Minute Demo
Get Your Charleston Location Analysis
Access detailed foot traffic data, competitor locations, and demographic breakdowns for every Charleston neighborhood.
No credit card required
Unique Market Intelligence
The 799K Consumer Opportunity
comprehensive market assessment
Market Position
Charleston positioning
Capital requirements for Charleston: $255K startup facing $62K earning households at 4.1x leverage.
Operating in Charleston: $28/sqft rent, 79-point foot traffic, $28,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.
Market scale: 0.8M population × $62K income = $50B consumer spending power.
Market dynamics: high saturation, very high expansion, 4.1x capital requirement.
Viability assessment: 4.1x capital needs, 79/100 exposure, $28/sqft overhead yields 61/100 score.
Local economy driven by Tourism, Port Services—households averaging $62K.
Market growing at 2.5% annually. High competitive environment. Stable outlook.
$255K startup. 49 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 74.85/100. 0.8M people. $62K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.24x.
Traffic: 79. Rent: $28/sqft. Income: $62K.
Very High growth. High competition. Score: 74.85.
0.8M metro. $28/sqft rent. 79 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $28,000/mo rent. 49 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.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 49 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
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Charleston surpasses
based on 79/100 traffic metrics
Charleston's $62,000 average income runs 53% above the $40,492 national benchmark, supporting premium pricing.
Charleston's $28/sqft lease rates undercut the $33/sqft benchmark by 14%.
Regional reach of 0.8M positions Charleston 79% below the 3.8M standard.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Charleston
Why Charleston for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 799,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $62,000 supports restaurant spending
- High business density indicates healthy economic activity
- Strong foot traffic opportunities throughout the city
- Strong demographics opportunities throughout the city
Restaurant Success Factors
Foot traffic
Essential
Demographics
Essential
Competition density
Essential
Parking availability
Essential
Visibility
Essential
Local cuisine preferences
Essential
Restaurant Market Insights for Charleston
Tourism industry creates diverse dining opportunities and higher traffic
Seasonal Considerations for Charleston
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Charleston Neighborhood Guide
Matching restaurant requirements to Charleston zones
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 Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston ⭐ | 799,000 | $62,000 |
|
Current City |
| Atlanta | 6,307,000 | $71,000 |
|
Explore → |
| Plano | 7,760,000 | $102,000 |
|
View data → |
| Frisco | 7,760,000 | $127,000 |
|
Compare → |
| Fort Lauderdale | 6,166,000 | $73,000 |
|
Check it → |
Market Signals
Restaurant Insights Unique to Charleston
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Viability assessment: 4.1x capital needs, 79/100 exposure, $28/sqft overhead yields 61/100 score.
03
Score 74.85. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
04
In Charleston, Competition density becomes the tiebreaker because high competition levels.
05
Charleston leads Atlanta by -16 opportunity points, justifying elevated location costs.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Charleston
Each answer references real Charleston data so this section is unique across the site.
What makes the Charleston market distinctive?
Viability assessment: 4.1x capital needs, 79/100 exposure, $28/sqft overhead yields 61/100 score.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Charleston?
Competition density should lead your playbook because high competition levels when launching in Charleston.
How does Charleston compare to other restaurant markets?
Charleston outranks Atlanta by -16 points for restaurants, reflecting stronger fundamentals across income, traffic, and competition.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Charleston?
0.8M metro. Focus on one location first.
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 Restaurant 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.