Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for Charleston, South Carolina.
Median Home Price
$435K
Population
150K
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,750
Property Tax Rate
0.57% *
* Property tax shown is the South Carolina state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in Charleston.
Charleston vs South Carolina Median
The median home price in Charleston is $435,000, which is 43% above the South Carolina state median of $305,000.
Mortgage Calculator — Charleston, SC
Pre-filled with Charleston median home price and South Carolina tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $435K home using South Carolina's 0.57% tax rate and $2,600/yr insurance.
5% Down
$3,276/mo
Down: $21,750
Loan: $413K
P&I: $2,612
Tax: $207
Insurance: $217
PMI: $241
10% Down
$3,126/mo
Down: $43,500
Loan: $392K
P&I: $2,475
Tax: $207
Insurance: $217
PMI: $228
20% Down (No PMI)
$2,623/mo
Down: $87,000
Loan: $348K
P&I: $2,200
Tax: $207
Insurance: $217
Income needed (28% rule): $112K/year with 20% down, $134K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in Charleston
Rent
$1,750/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$3,126/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 20.7 — At a ratio above 20, renting may be more economical in Charleston for shorter stays. Buying costs $1,376 more per month than renting, and it typically takes 5-7 years to break even on the transaction costs of buying.
The median home price in Charleston is $435,000, 43% above the South Carolina state median of $305,000. With a population of 150,227, Charleston is a mid-size city where home prices reflect strong demand and local economic factors.
Property taxes in South Carolina average 0.57% annually. This low property tax rate is a significant advantage for Charleston buyers, keeping your monthly costs well below what you'd pay in higher-tax states. Homeowners insurance in South Carolina runs approximately $2,600 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in Charleston is $1,750/month. With a price-to-rent ratio above 20, renting could be more economical in the short term — use our Rent vs Buy calculator to model your specific timeline.
Charleston is a higher-cost market. At $435K median, buyers need significant savings or strong income. Down payment assistance through South Carolina's SC Housing Palmetto Home program becomes especially important.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in Charleston.