$132,608/yr
is the income needed to buy the typical $431,797 home in Charleston, SC at today's 6.95% rate — about $3,094/mo. The local median household ($82,272) falls $50,336 short.
The math (shown)
431,797 price − 10% down (43,180) = 388,617 loan
30-yr fixed at 6.95% on 388,617 = 2,572/mo principal+interest
+ 522/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
3,094/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 11,051/mo → 132,608/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-08 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)) and the 6.95% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-09-17). Local median income: $82,272 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year, median household income (table B19013)).
Can I afford Charleston, SC on my salary?
Your salary:
Rent vs own here
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FAQ
How much do I need to make to live in Charleston, SC?
To buy the typical home, about $132,608/yr. Renting needs less; this page sizes the buy.
What home value is this based on?
Zillow's ZHVI typical-home-value for the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro (2026-08): $431,797.
Is the mortgage rate current?
Yes — 6.95% from FRED's weekly 30-year fixed average (2026-09-17).
Glossary
ZHVI
Zillow Home Value Index — the typical home value for a region (35th–65th percentile, smoothed, seasonally adjusted).
Front-end DTI
Housing payment as a share of gross income; lenders commonly cap it near 28%.
PITI
Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance — the full monthly housing cost.