Income needed to buy a home
Charleston County, SC
$195,533
a year in household income to buy the typical Charleston County home with 10% down.
The monthly math
Typical home value$612,976
Down payment (10%)$61,298
Loan$551,678
Principal and interest (7.40%)$3,820/mo
Property tax (0.4% a year)$206/mo
Homeowners insurance (estimate)$306/mo
Mortgage insurance$230/mo
Total monthly cost$4,562/mo
Income needed keeps housing at 28% of gross income, the lender rule of thumb.
What locals earn
Out of reach
The typical household here earns $88,494 a year, 45% of what it takes.
In South Carolina
Charleston County ranks #46 of 46 for the income a home takes, from least to most.
Easiest to afford in South Carolina
| County | Typical home | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| Allendale County | $75,620 | $24,392 |
| Marlboro County | $123,762 | $39,934 |
| Williamsburg County | $126,513 | $41,346 |
| Union County | $133,802 | $42,796 |
| Dillon County | $134,534 | $43,069 |
Typical home value from the Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026. Rate is the Freddie Mac 30-year average for Oct 8, 2026. Property tax rate is total taxes paid divided by total home value in the county (U.S. Census, ACS 2020-2024). How it works.