What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in South Carolina this week

Out of reach · #18 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median South Carolina household earning $82,320 a year can afford a home of about $260,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median South Carolina listing is $359,945, which would take 38.8% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$260,000

Affordable home price

+$1,713 vs. last week · −$4,376 vs. a year ago

$360,000

Median list price (September 2026)

−$5,055 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · South Carolina 72 a year ago

38.8%

Share of income the median listing takes

$2,660/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$82,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#18

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $365,000 and median income of $76,050 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $264,000 and the median listing took 38.7% of income. Affordability in South Carolina has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#16 Alaska: can afford $324,000, median listing $435,000
#17 North Dakota: can afford $269,000, median listing $371,000
#19 Wisconsin: can afford $278,000, median listing $390,000
#20 Louisiana: can afford $192,000, median listing $270,000

Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.