WhereCanIAfford › Charleston, SC › On $500,000

Is Charleston, SC affordable on a $500,000 salary?

YES On $500,000/yr, the typical $435,877 home in Charleston, SC needs $128,506/yr ($2,998/mo). Your gap: +$371,494 — housing would be 7.2% of your gross income.

The math

435,877 price − 10% down (43,588) = 392,289 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.47% on 392,289 = 2,472/mo principal+interest
+ 527/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
2,998/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 10,709/mo → 128,506/yr required

against Zillow ZHVI 2026-05 and the 6.47% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-06-18).

What salary WOULD clear Charleston, SC?

You need about $128,506/yr for the typical home. On $500,000 you already clear it by $371,494.

On $475,000? On $525,000? On $550,000?

See the full Charleston, SC affordability breakdown → or every metro you can afford on $500,000 →