Business ideas · South Carolina · Census Business Patterns 2023
Business ideas in Charleston, SC: what has room right now
Out of 229 business types, these five have the most room in Charleston at a $60,000 budget: fewer per resident than the rest of South Carolina, a startup range you can reach, and a realistic time to the first paying customer. Skipped 95 the city already has more of. Run it with your own budget and interests.
Neur picks
Charleston, SC · 152,014 residents
- 01
Garage / Epoxy / Concrete
Decorative concrete coatings, epoxy floors, and garage upgrades
- RoomCharleston has 75% fewer of these per person than South Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
- CostOpens for $10k to $30k, inside your budget.
- In Charleston2
- Per 100k vs state1.3 vs 5.3
- Residents per one76,007
- To first dollar—
- 02
Tire Shop
Tire sales, mounting, balancing, and alignment services
- RoomCharleston has 65% fewer of these per person than South Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 7 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $150k, inside your budget.
- In Charleston4
- Per 100k vs state2.6 vs 7.5
- Residents per one38,004
- To first dollar—
- 03
Roofing
Roof installation, repair, and replacement — residential and commercial
- RoomCharleston has 64% fewer of these per person than South Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 5 more.
- CostOpens for $15k to $50k, inside your budget.
- In Charleston3
- Per 100k vs state2.0 vs 5.5
- Residents per one50,671
- To first dollar—
- 04
Used Car Dealer
Independent lot selling 10 to 40 cars a month; buy-here-pay-here optional
- RoomCharleston has 54% fewer of these per person than South Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 8 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $300k, inside your budget.
- In Charleston7
- Per 100k vs state4.6 vs 10.1
- Residents per one21,716
- To first dollar1 to 3 mo
- 05
Check Cashing / Remittance
Check cashing, money transfers, bill pay, and prepaid cards
- RoomCharleston has 50% fewer of these per person than South Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 5 more.
- CostOpens for $50k to $200k, inside your budget.
- In Charleston5
- Per 100k vs state3.3 vs 6.5
- Residents per one30,403
- To first dollar3 to 7 mo
Questions
- What business should I start in Charleston, SC?
- On Census Business Patterns for Charleston's own ZIP codes, the types with the most room at a $60,000 budget are garage / epoxy / concrete, tire shop, roofing, used car dealer, check cashing / remittance. Garage / Epoxy / Concrete leads: Charleston has 75% fewer of these per person than South Carolina. At the state rate it would hold about 6 more.
- How is "room" measured?
- Establishments per 100,000 residents inside Charleston against the South Carolina rate, from Census County and ZIP Business Patterns 2023, with crowded types (more than 1.35 times the state rate) left off. It is a screen, not a guarantee: the paid report maps the actual competitors and the neighborhood demand.
- What does it cost to open these?
- Garage / Epoxy / Concrete $10k–$30k; Tire Shop $50k–$150k; Roofing $15k–$50k; Used Car Dealer $50k–$300k; Check Cashing / Remittance $50k–$200k. Ranges are Neur planning ranges per business type; the report localizes rent and wages.