$46,140/yr
is the income needed to buy the typical $147,375 home in Charleston, WV at today's 7.18% rate — about $1,077/mo. The local median household ($58,089) clears it.
The math (shown)
147,375 price − 10% down (14,738) = 132,637 loan
30-yr fixed at 7.18% on 132,637 = 899/mo principal+interest
+ 178/mo est. taxes+insurance (1.45%/yr of value — national placeholder)
1,077/mo PITI ÷ 0.28 = 3,845/mo → 46,140/yr required
against Zillow ZHVI 2026-09 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)) and the 7.18% FRED 30-yr rate (2026-11-05). Local median income: $58,089 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year, median household income (table B19013)).
Can I afford Charleston, WV 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, WV?
To buy the typical home, about $46,140/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, WV metro (2026-09): $147,375.
Is the mortgage rate current?
Yes — 7.18% from FRED's weekly 30-year fixed average (2026-11-05).
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.