Can I Afford a Home
in Charleston?
Median home price in Charleston is $520,000. At 6.5% with 25% down, you need $124,217/year to qualify under the 28% housing rule.
Charleston, SC — 2024 snapshot
Income gap vs. median earners
At a 6.7x income-to-price ratio, Charleston buyers need $46,217/year more than the local median household income to afford the median home.
Monthly payment breakdown — Charleston
Median home price $520,000, 25% down ($130,000), 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed.
| Component | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Principal & interest | $2,465/mo | $29,580/yr |
| Property tax (0.50% rate) | $217/mo | $2,604/yr |
| Homeowner insurance (est.) | $217/mo | $2,604/yr |
| Total PITI | $2,899/mo | $34,788/yr |
Required income by mortgage rate
Median Charleston home at $520,000, 20% down ($104,000), 30-year fixed.
| Rate | Monthly PITI | Required income |
|---|---|---|
| 6% | $2,928/mo | $125,486/yr |
| 6.5% (current est.) | $3,063/mo | $131,271/yr |
| 7% | $3,202/mo | $137,229/yr |
| 7.5% | $3,343/mo | $143,271/yr |
Uses Charleston's 0.50% property tax rate and 0.5% insurance estimate. No existing debts assumed.
Check your specific salary
Use the income bracket pages to see how your salary compares to the $124,217/year needed in Charleston.
Run your exact numbers for Charleston
Do not include rent — only recurring debt obligations.
Less than 20% of the home price triggers PMI (private mortgage insurance).
Buying and selling within 5 years rarely covers transaction costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I afford a home in Charleston?
Median home price in Charleston is $520,000. At 6.5% with 25% down ($130,000), the monthly PITI is $2,899. To keep housing costs at or below 28% of gross income, you need $124,217/year. The median household income in Charleston is $78,000, which means the typical household falls $46,217 short.
What income do you need to buy a house in Charleston?
To afford the median Charleston home at $520,000 with 25% down and a 6.5% rate, you need approximately $124,217/year. This applies the 28% front-end DTI limit used by conventional lenders. Increasing your down payment or waiting for lower rates reduces this threshold.
What is the property tax rate in Charleston?
The effective property tax rate in Charleston, South Carolina is 0.50% annually. On the median home of $520,000, that is $217/month or $2,604/year in property taxes. Property taxes are included in PITI and count toward the 28% front-end DTI limit.
How much is a down payment on a house in Charleston?
On the Charleston median home price of $520,000, a 20% down payment is $104,000 and a 25% down payment is $130,000. Putting down at least 20% eliminates PMI. For homes above $766,550, you will need a jumbo loan, which typically requires 20-30% down and stricter income documentation.