What Salary Do You Need to Live in Charleston, SC?

To live comfortably in Charleston, a household needs to earn roughly $80,000/year. That's about $6,667/month before taxes.

The Number: $80,000/year

At $80,000 per year, a household in Charleston can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Charleston's median monthly rent of $1,887 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Charleston at a Glance

Median rent$1,887/mo
Median home price$600,300
Median household income$98,085
State income taxUp to 6.2%
Sales tax9%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Charleston on roughly $50,000/year. That's about $4,167/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Charleston

The median monthly rent is $1,887. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $75,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $600,300. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $120,060 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $98,085/year. Our recommended salary of $80,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.