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Can You Afford a 2-Bedroom in Charleston? The Salary Math.

A 2-bedroom in Charleston runs $1,036/month per HUD Fair Market Rents. To keep rent under 30% of take-home, you need at least $4,731/year before taxes. The Charleston median wage of around $35,990 puts most workers in the stretch zone for a 2-bedroom.

Salary thresholds at the HUD FMR of $1,036/month

Rent burden based on estimated take-home after federal, state, and FICA taxes (single filer). Verdict uses 30% rule.

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly take-homeRent burdenVerdict
Entry-level (10th pct.)$29,330$2,06250.2%Too much
Early career (25th pct.)$29,330$2,06250.2%Too much
Median$35,990$2,47741.8%Too much
Experienced (75th pct.)$37,220$2,55440.6%Too much
Top earners (90th pct.)$37,220$2,55440.6%Too much

Verdict guide: Comfortable <25% | OK 25–30% | Stretch 30–40% | Too much >40%

Jobs that pay enough to afford a 2-Bedroom in Charleston

These occupations have median salaries that keep rent under 30% of take-home.

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
$87,050/yr median
Registered Nurses
$81,130/yr median
General and Operations Managers
$85,620/yr median

Keep exploring Charleston

Top paying jobs in CharlestonCost of living in CharlestonCan you afford a 1-bedroom?Can you afford a 3-bedroom?

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Charleston?
You need roughly $4,731/year gross to keep a 2-bedroom at $1,036/month under the 30% rent burden threshold. That assumes a 27% effective tax rate and single filing.
How much is the HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Charleston?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Charleston is $1,036/month (FY2025). FMRs set the baseline for affordable housing calculations and vary by metro area.
Is Charleston expensive for renters?
Charleston is below the national average in cost. A 2-bedroom at the HUD FMR of $1,036/month is more manageable here than in most metros.
What percentage of income should go to rent?
The standard guideline is 30% of your gross monthly income before taxes. Go above that and you risk being "rent-burdened," which the Census Bureau defines as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Budget carefully if your rent burden sits above 40%.
Which jobs pay enough to afford rent in Charleston?
The following occupations in Charleston have median salaries that keep 2-bedroom rent under 30% of take-home pay: Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, Registered Nurses, General and Operations Managers.

Source data is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. AffordMap is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Per BLS policy, "BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov."

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