Miami has one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. People around the world are keeping tabs on the market, everyone from seasoned buyers to students are cashing in on the luxury condo trend and not even Hurricane Irma could perturb the sunny state of affairs in area real estate. Put simply, people just want to live here. Maybe that’s why so many television shows are set in Miami. 

Although South Florida real estate varies vastly from private-island pads in the Venetian Islands to Miami Beach penthouses to modest, single-family homes in Doral, ownership isn’t exactly cheap. But for many of the shows set in Magic City, homes appear to be more affordable, especially when considering a character’s presumed income. So, we’re taking a closer look at some of TV’s most popular shows set in Miami to find out whether or not certain characters — from Dr. Christian Troy of “Nip/Tuck” to Jane Villanueva of “Jane The Virgin”— could actually afford their homes (or houseboats, in the case of “Miami Vice”). 

For our methodology, we determined the approximate cost of a home or residence used in a TV show. Then, using Glassdoor’s salary guide and Salary.com, we ballparked that character’s earnings. Finally, we factored that information into Smart Asset’s home affordability tool to see if they can afford their home.

Granted, this approach doesn’t account for large down payments, investments, and inheritances (hello, Blanche Devereaux), so take it with a grain of South Beach sand. As for professions, we looked at a character’s most recent or most identifiable job to determine our findings.

“Nip/Tuck”

Courtesy of Pinterest

Residence Type: Luxury condo, presumably penthouse

Location: Intracoastal views; probably Miami Beach

Approximate cost: $2.6 million

Profession(s): Christian Troy, plastic surgeon

Salary: $372,407

COULD HE AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

Yep. And he’d even have extra money leftover to hire a maid, all the better to clean up sketchy activities and remnants of myriad “sleepovers.” 

“Dexter”

Courtesy of Designd

Residence Type: Mid Century modern condo

Location: Bay Harbour Island in Miami Beach

Approximate cost: $215,000

Profession(s): Dexter Morgan, blood spatter analyst

Salary: $82,500

COULD HE AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

Bloody right he could. Dexter’s condo is a real place in Miami, at 1155 103rd St., and one of the units recently sold for $215,000 (no word on any blood vials stashed away in the A/C unit). But we’re not completely sure about that boat... 

“Empty Nest”

Courtesy of iamnotastalker

Residence Type: Five-bedroom, two-story contemporary

Location: Likely Coral Gables

Approximate cost: $2.4 million

Profession(s): Dr. Harry Weston, pediatrician

Salary: $146,000

COULD HE AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

If his adult daughters are helping with the mortgage, maybe. But Harry’s living large on a single income, especially at his age — he might consider moving in with the Golden Girls next door (they could use the help).

“Golden Girls”

Courtesy of Golden Girls Wikia

Residence Type: Four-bedroom ranch

Location: In TV land, it’s right next door to Dr. Weston’s; thus, probably Coral Gables

Approximate cost: $1.9 million

Profession(s): Substitute teacher (Dorothy Zbornak), TV station assistant (Rose Nylund), art museum assistant (Blanche Devereaux), small-time spaghetti sauce entrepreneur (Sophie Petrillo)

Salary: $25,827 (Dorothy) + $37,851 (Rose) + $37,851 (Blanche) + $10,000 (Sophie) = $111,529

COULD THEY AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

Barring Blanche’s presumed inheritance from Big Daddy, no. Even with several residents splitting the monthly mortgage payment, these fierce, fabulous ladies would be better off looking somewhere more affordable. Maybe Allapattah? Of course, they always have the Golden Sands Hotel to lean back on ...

“Jane the Virgin”

Courtesy of Jane the Virgin Wikia

Residence Type: 2-3 bedroom bungalow

Location: Likely Doral or Miami Springs

Approximate cost: $318,000

Profession(s): Aspiring writer, hotel lounge manager (Jane Villanueva)

Salary: $14,063 (bartender)

COULD SHE AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

Not based on her salary, much of which would go toward caring for Mateo. However, Jane’s grandmother, Alba, is a retired nurse, has lived in the house for decades, and presumably owns it — meaning Jane may just be living rent-free. Un milagro!

“Miami Vice”

Courtesy of Miami Vice Wikia

Residence Type: Houseboat (erm, houseyacht)

Location: Wherever the tide takes him

Approximate cost: $100,000

Profession(s): James “Sonny” Crockett, undercover police detective for Metro-Dade

Salary: $60,307

COULD HE AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

If we’re talking the houseboat only, yes. Crockett’s St. Vitus Dance is an Endeavor 42 yacht, and there’s one available in Charleston, S.C. for $99,000 (notwithstanding the fact that it’s as out-of-date now as the TV show’s wardrobe). However, that regularly featured party house on Key Biscayne would require a lot of shady dealings to secure. It was on the market in 2012 for $22 million, while the home in the 2006 “Miami Vice” movie costs $75,000 a month to rent.

“Ballers”

Courtesy of HBO

Residence Type: Two-story modern, luxury home

Location: Golden Beach

Approximate cost: $12.5 million

Profession(s): Ricky Jarret, NFL wide receiver

Salary: $4 million and up

COULD HE AFFORD THIS HOUSE TODAY?:

With the help of former pro Spencer Strathmore recommending a large down payment, Jarret could definitely afford this home (Joe’s shady business tendencies aside).