Can A Carpenter Afford Rent in Charleston, SC?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 51.2% of gross income.
Charleston rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina state estimate).
About rent and a carpenter salary
Carpenter pay sits modestly above the US median household income and covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost metros. Union carpenters in high-cost cities often earn well above the BLS mean. At the national-average carpenter salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,524 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Charleston, which improves the affordability math on a carpenter salary:
Compare with full rent data for Charleston
View full rent data for Charleston, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a carpenter afford rent in Charleston, SC?
Median rent in Charleston is $2,288 a month. A typical carpenter in South Carolina earns about $53,627 a year, which makes that rent 51.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a carpenter afford in Charleston?
Using the 30% rule, a carpenter salary in South Carolina (~$53,627/yr) supports up to $1,341 a month in rent. Charleston's current median rent is $2,288/mo, which is $947/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a carpenter work to cover rent in Charleston?
At an hourly equivalent of about $26 an hour, a carpenter in South Carolina works roughly 88.7 hours a month to cover Charleston's median rent of $2,288.
Where is rent cheaper than Charleston for a carpenter?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Mount Pleasant ($2,284/mo), York ($2,261/mo), Pawleys Island ($2,225/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a carpenter salary.