CALCMONEY // HOME AFFORDABILITY // SC // NORTH CHARLESTON
How much house can you afford in North Charleston? Based on local median home prices, current SC mortgage rates, and North Charleston property tax data.
$310,000
$1,902/mo
$81,514/yr
$205,866
Monthly housing costs of $1,902 represent 39.4% of North Charleston's median gross monthly income ($4,833/mo). At 39.4%, median-income buyers in North Charleston are significantly stretched — well above the 28% guideline. A larger down payment or higher income is required.
| Median Home Price | $310,000 |
| Down Payment (20%) | $62,000 |
| Loan Amount | $248,000 |
| Monthly PI Payment | $1,633 |
| Monthly Property Tax | $140 |
| Monthly Insurance Est. | $129 |
| Total Monthly PITI | $1,902 |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 39.4% |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $81,514/yr |
| Max Affordable Home | $205,866 |
$10,850
$2,451/mo
North Charleston Home Affordability Quick Reference 2026
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $310,000 | North Charleston city median |
| Down Payment (20%) | $62,000 | Conventional loan |
| Monthly PITI | $1,902 | 6.9% rate, 30yr fixed |
| Required Income (28% rule) | $81,514 | Annual gross |
| Max Affordable Home | $205,866 | Based on median income |
| FHA Down (3.5%) | $10,850 | Minimum FHA |
| Housing Cost % of Income | 39.4% | Median income: $58,000/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.54% | $1,674/yr on median home |
Monthly PITI includes principal, interest, property tax, and homeowners insurance. Estimates only.
The median home price in North Charleston is $310,000, with a local 30-year mortgage rate of 6.9%. A buyer putting 20% down carries a loan of $248,000, generating a monthly P&I payment of $1,633. Adding property taxes ($140/mo) and homeowners insurance ($129/mo) brings total monthly PITI to $1,902.
North Charleston's property tax rate of 0.54% 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 North Charleston median home, that is $140/month, or $1,674 per year.
South Carolina levies a state income tax, which affects take-home pay and effective buying power. High-income earners in North 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 North Charleston's median income of $58,000/year can afford up to $1,353/month in total housing costs. Based on North Charleston's mortgage rate of 6.9% and property tax rate of 0.54%, that translates to a maximum affordable home price of approximately $205,866 with 20% down on a 30-year loan.
To afford the median North Charleston home priced at $310,000, you need an annual gross income of approximately $81,514. Total monthly housing costs (principal and interest of $1,633, property taxes of $140, and insurance of $129) come to $1,902/month, which equals 28% of the required income.
At the median home price of $310,000 and median household income of $58,000, the total monthly housing cost of $1,902 represents 39.4% of gross monthly income. This is well above the standard 28% threshold, making North Charleston a challenging market for buyers at median income.
A conventional 20% down payment on the median North Charleston home of $310,000 is $62,000. An FHA loan requires just 3.5% down — $10,850 — but adds mortgage insurance of roughly $212/month, bringing total FHA payments to $2,451/month.
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