James Island

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James Island, SC

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A tranquil coastal town near Charleston

Coastal Peaceful Upscale Family-Friendly Scenic Suburban

Situated just south of Charleston, James Island is a predominantly residential community overlooking the Charles Harbor and the Stono and Folly Rivers. In addition to its tranquil natural beauty, James Island offers residents a small-town atmosphere and a strong sense of community spirit.

James Island’s many apartments, townhomes, and houses available for rent are engulfed by lush trees, adding a sense of privacy and peace to the community. There are also plenty of convenient shopping centers and plazas located throughout town, providing numerous everyday delights.

Locals enjoy a bevy of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors at the sprawling James Island County Park and nearby Folly Beach. Historic attractions like McLeod Plantation Historic Site and Fort Sumter National Monument pay homage to the area’s past, while the popular Island Heritage Festival celebrates Gullah culture.

Transportation

39

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

13

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

42

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • James Island County Park
  • Folly Beach County Park
  • McLeod Plantation Historic Site
  • Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve
  • Fort Sumter National Monument

Airports

  • Charleston AFB/International

Top Apartments in James Island

Houses for Rent in James Island

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.