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County in South Carolina

Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston County is a county in South Carolina with 420,264 residents, No. 3 of 46 by population. In Charleston County, the FHA loan limit for a one-unit home is $690,000, and a typical home is worth $489,100. To rent a 2-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent ($1,884 a month) without going over 30% of your income, you need to earn about $36.23 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $489,100

    +89% vs. South Carolina +47% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • Charleston
    • South Carolina
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,884 a month

    +35% vs. South Carolina +8% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • Charleston
    • South Carolina
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $690,000

    FHA high-cost area

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • Charleston
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.39% of value per year

    −19% vs. South Carolina −59% vs. U.S.

    $1,901 a year for the typical owner

    • Charleston
    • South Carolina
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$609,591
1.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,150 a month
4.4% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in Charleston County today?

With an FHA loan and the minimum down payment, a typical home would cost about $3,832 a month: 52% of the typical household income here. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $164,246 a year; the typical income here is $88,494. The typical home value is 89% more than in South Carolina overall. 64% of households own their home, fewer than in South Carolina (72%). The typical property tax is $1,901 a year (about 0.39% of home value), higher than in South Carolina.

53% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

Only here

What sets Charleston County apart

  1. Charleston County has the highest typical home value of the 46 counties in South Carolina: $489,100.

  2. 30% of homes in Charleston County (44,952) are in FEMA's high-risk flood zone, and only 78% of those carry NFIP flood insurance.

  3. Among the neighboring counties, Williamsburg County has the lowest typical rent ($765), 53% below the $1,620 in Charleston County.

  4. Charleston County has the 2nd highest typical household income of the 46 counties in South Carolina ($88,494).

  5. Charleston County has the highest typical home value in its area: $489,100, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Beaufort County ($455,600).

  6. Charleston County has the 3rd highest typical rent of the 46 counties in South Carolina ($1,620).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FEMA (As of August 3, 2026).

The homes here

Housing in Charleston County

What homes there are in Charleston County, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Charleston County, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in South Carolina, 6.

Year built

The typical year built in Charleston County is 1991, about the same as in South Carolina (1992).

In Charleston County, 12% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 63% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 70% in South Carolina.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 67% of owner-occupied homes in Charleston County are worth less than the FHA loan limit for this county ($690,000).

Monthly rent with utilities

Measured against HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,884), about 65% of rented homes in Charleston County cost less.

With a mortgage

$2,167 a month

South Carolina: $1,529 a month

Without a mortgage

$648 a month

South Carolina: $448 a month

Owners with a mortgage

66%

South Carolina: 57%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Charleston County is $2,167 a month, more than in South Carolina ($1,529); without one, $648.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Charleston County rose 55%; in South Carolina, it rose 60%.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Charleston County rose 36%, more than in South Carolina (32%).

The typical household income in Charleston County rose 38% over that time; home values changed +55% and rent +36%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureCharleston CountySouth CarolinaUnited States
Rental vacancy 11.7%8.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 1.1%0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.6%2.0%3.4%
People per household 2.292.442.53
Drive alone 69%76%69%
Carpool 9%9%9%
Public transit 1%0%3%
Walk or bike 3%2%3%
Work from home 18%12%15%
Other means 1%2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

In Charleston County, the rental vacancy rate is 11.7%; in South Carolina, 8.3%.

Much as in South Carolina, 1.6% of households in Charleston County have more than one person per room.

On average, a household in Charleston County has 2.29 people, fewer than in South Carolina (2.44).

Working from home is more common in Charleston County: 18%, against 12% in South Carolina.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in Charleston County?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home of $489,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 52% of the typical household income here, which is $88,494 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $164,246 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Charleston County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $17,119 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$3,832

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$480,241
Total interest
$690,954
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $8,260 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,065 a month

  • Tight

    $2,065 to $2,655 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,655 a month

    Your payment · 52%

Compared with the typical household income in Charleston County ($88,494 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,832
Principal & interest$3,253
Property tax$159
Home insurance$204
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$216

You need at least $17,119 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

Buying a home

Buying a home in Charleston County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how Charleston County compares with South Carolina and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in Charleston County rose 129% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here South Carolina United States
In 2025 +2.3% +3.6% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +71% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +129% +104% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Charleston County compared with South Carolina and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Charleston $489,100
  • South Carolina $259,000
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • Charleston $1,620
  • South Carolina $1,180
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • Charleston $88,494
  • South Carolina $69,324
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Charleston compared with South Carolina and the United States
MeasureHereSouth CarolinaU.S.
Residents420,2645,296,225334,922,499
Typical home value$489,100$259,000$332,700
Typical household income$88,494$69,324$80,734
Typical rent$1,620$1,180$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,884$1,391$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$36.23$26.75$33.65
Typical property tax$1,901$1,251$3,119
Effective tax rate0.39%0.48%0.94%
Households that own their home64%72%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent53%52%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$690,000$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: South Carolina shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Charleston County

For a typical $489,100 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $3,832 $17,119 $480,241 7.18% FHA MIP · $216 $31,792 580
Conventional, 5% down $3,743 $24,455 $464,645 7.18% PMI · $232 $39,128 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $3,013 $97,820 $391,280 7.18% None $112,493 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $3,466 $73,365 $415,735 8.18% None $88,038 Set by the lender
  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

Everything about buying in Charleston County: income, limits and help How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

This is a high-cost area, so FHA limits in Charleston County are above the national floor. The limit is set for the whole metro area (Charleston-North Charleston, SC). If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $690,000 $832,750
2 units $883,300 $1,066,250
3 units $1,067,750 $1,288,800
4 units $1,326,950 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in Charleston County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In Charleston County, the typical owner pays $1,901 a year: about 0.39% of the home's value. That is less than the rest of South Carolina and less than the national average.

  • Charleston 0.39%
  • South Carolina 0.48%
  • United States 0.94%

What South Carolina publishes Special 4% assessment ratio for your legal residence (South Carolina General Assembly (South Carolina Code of Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in South Carolina

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in Charleston County 30% of homes (44,952) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 78% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in Charleston County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in Charleston County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

In Charleston County, FEMA rates the natural hazard risk as relatively high.

To rate it, FEMA weighs the expected loss with social vulnerability and community resilience.

In Charleston County, FEMA expects natural hazards to cause $500 million in losses a year, counting buildings, people and crops.

The hazard that would do the most damage to homes and buildings here is hurricane: about $264 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. HurricaneVery high $264 million a year
  2. EarthquakeRelatively high $68.2 million a year
  3. Inland floodingRelatively moderate $42.6 million a year
  4. Coastal floodingVery high $31.7 million a year
  5. WildfireRelatively moderate $2.8 million a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

The home energy code (IECC) puts Charleston County in zone 3A: humid, between hot and mixed.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Keep indoor humidity below 60 % (ideally between 30 % and 50 %). A humidity meter is inexpensive and sold at hardware stores. EPA
    • Keep the air conditioner's drip pan clean and its drain line flowing: a plugged drain can cause water damage in the house. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Look for drafts at windows and doors: close the window on a piece of paper; if it moves back and forth easily, it needs thicker weather stripping. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$28.37$21.91 and $36.38
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$27.58$18.80 and $36.00
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$28.08$19.37 and $37.05
Roofers$23.09$18.50 and $34.34
Carpenters$24.22$17.67 and $37.85
Painters, construction and maintenance$22.84$17.18 and $33.00
Maintenance and repair workers, general$23.34$17.29 and $36.53

In the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area, half of electricians earn more than $28.37 an hour and half earn less; for a plumber, the typical figure is $27.58.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in Charleston County

The typical rent in Charleston County is $1,620 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

53% of renter households in Charleston County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 28% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $1,661 $31.94 $66,440
1 bedroom $1,731 $33.29 $69,240
2 bedrooms $1,884 $36.23 $75,360
3 bedrooms $2,336 $44.92 $93,440
4 bedrooms $2,687 $51.67 $107,480

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in Charleston County

Programs and counseling in Charleston County

There are 5 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in Charleston County. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, with rent, or if you've fallen behind on payments.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

Three generations of a family gather on the porch of their home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

South Carolina down payment programs

  1. Palmetto Home Advantage

    South Carolina state agency program with forgivable down payment assistance of 0%, 3% or 4% of the loan, with no monthly payments, for any buyer in all 46 counties

    No first-time requirement. Run by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

  2. SC Housing Homebuyer Program

    South Carolina state agency fixed-rate mortgage with forgivable help for the down payment, closing costs or prepaid expenses: a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments, forgiven if you live in the home 15 years

    First-time buyers only. Run by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all South Carolina programs

Help in Spanish in Charleston County

3 of the 5 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

  • Housing Authority of the City of Charleston Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (843) 720-3970
  • Housing Authority of N Charleston Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (843) 747-1793

Free legal help

If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

These agencies have an office in Charleston County. The full list is on the South Carolina counselors page. Official HUD list. Confirm hours and fees with the agency before you go.

  • Credit.org - North Charleston, SC Branch

    5935 Rivers Ave, North Charleston · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 7 more
    (800) 431-8157

  • Increasing H.o.p.e. Financial Training Center

    8570 Rivers Ave, North Charleston · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (843) 225-4343

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Charleston, SC

    7301 Rivers Ave, North Charleston · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (425) 602-6222
See every agency in South Carolina

Places

Cities in Charleston County

Each city has its own page with prices, rents and help. These are the largest.

See all 5 cities of Charleston County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with Charleston County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in Charleston County in 2026?

Charleston County has an FHA limit of $690,000 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $883,300, for 3 it's $1,067,750 and for 4 it's $1,326,950. It's a high-cost area, so the limit is above the national floor.

What is the conforming loan limit in Charleston County?

Charleston County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in Charleston County?

The typical home value in Charleston County is $489,100 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across South Carolina it's $259,000.

How much does it cost to rent in Charleston County?

Charleston County has a typical rent of $1,620 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,884 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in Charleston County?

About $36.23 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $75,360 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,884 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).