CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // SC // CHARLESTON
How much house can you afford in Charleston? Based on local median home prices, current SC mortgage rates, and Charleston property tax data.
$520,000
$3,173/mo
$135,990/yr
$263,184
Monthly housing costs of $3,173 represent 48.8% of Charleston's median gross monthly income ($6,500/mo). At 48.8%, median-income buyers in Charleston are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $520,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $104,000 |
| Loan Amount | $416,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $2,740 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $217 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $217 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $3,173 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 48.8% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $135,990/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $263,184 |
$18,200
$4,094/mo
Charleston Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $520,000 | Charleston city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $104,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $3,173 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $135,990 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $263,184 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $18,200 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 48.8% | Median income: $78,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.5% | $2,600/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in Charleston is $520,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $416,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $2,740. Adding property taxes ($217/mo) and homeowners insurance ($217/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $3,173.
Charleston's property tax rate of 0.5% is among the lower rates in the country, which improves overall affordability by keeping total PITI closer to the principal and interest payment alone. On the Charleston median home, that is $217/month, or $2,600 per year.
South Carolina levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in Charleston should factor state tax liability into their overall housing budget — mortgage interest may be deductible on both federal and state returns.
Using the 28% rule, a household earning Charleston's median income of $78,000/year can afford up to $1,820/month in total housing costs. Based on Charleston's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 0.5%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $263,184 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median Charleston home priced at $520,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $135,990. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $2,740, property taxes of $217, and insurance of $217) come to $3,173/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $520,000 and median household income of $78,000, the total monthly housing cost of $3,173 represents 48.8% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making Charleston a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median Charleston home of $520,000 is $104,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $18,200 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $355/month, bringing total FHA payments to $4,094/month.
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