Is Charleston sunnier than Columbia?

Charleston is the sunnier: about 2,712 hours of sunshine a year versus 2,571 — a difference of 141 hours.

Which is warmer, Charleston or Columbia?

Year-round daytime highs are similar: Charleston averages 24°C (75°F), Columbia 24°C (75°F).

Which is better in winter (November–February), Charleston or Columbia?

Charleston scores better across November–February: 57/100 average versus 43, with daytime highs around 17°C.

Charleston vs Columbia: which is sunnier?

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 153 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Charleston is the sunnier overall: about 2,712 hours of sunshine a year to Columbia's 2,571. Charleston has the higher Sunshine Score in 6 of 12 months, Columbia in 3 (3 within 2 points).

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Charleston	Columbia
Sunshine hours / year	2,712	2,571
Sunniest month	November (82/100)	April (80/100)
Nov–Feb average score	57/100	43/100
Jun–Aug average score	68/100	65/100
Rain / year	1,245 mm	1,152 mm
Peak midday UV	9 (very high)	8 (very high)

Charleston vs Columbia month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Charleston	Columbia	Charleston	Columbia	Charleston	Columbia
January	42	27	14°	12°	61	77
February	53	39	16°	14°	84	90
March	80	64	20°	18°	84	94
April	80	80	24°	24°	82	78
May	78	77	28°	28°	92	94
June	69	72	31°	32°	140	119
July	68	58	32°	34°	147	119
August	67	65	31°	33°	171	117
September	73	76	29°	30°	119	97
October	76	79	25°	25°	105	81
November	82	67	20°	18°	69	77
December	52	37	16°	14°	91	109

The sunnier month by month: Jan Charleston · Feb Charleston · Mar Charleston · Apr even · May even · Jun Columbia · Jul Charleston · Aug even · Sep Columbia · Oct Columbia · Nov Charleston · Dec Charleston.

When to pick which

November–February: Charleston (average score 57/100 vs 43). Charleston is the warmer, around 17°C daytime highs vs 15°C. See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: Charleston (average score 79/100 vs 74). Daytime highs are similar (24°C vs 23°C).
June–August: Charleston (average score 68/100 vs 65). Columbia is the warmer, around 33°C daytime highs vs 31°C.
September–October: Columbia (average score 78/100 vs 75). Daytime highs are similar (27°C vs 28°C).

Full month-by-month guides: Charleston weather by month · Columbia weather by month · Best time to visit United States.

More comparisons: Charleston vs Savannah · Charleston vs Myrtle Beach · Columbia vs Charlotte · Columbia vs Greenville/Greer/Spartanburg · Columbia vs Augusta · all head-to-heads