Buying a home in South Carolina
Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in South Carolina.
For home buyers in South Carolina: the taxes and typical costs of buying, with official sources.
At South Carolina's effective rate of 0.48%, a typical $304,319 home would owe about $1,461/year ($122/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority
Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority →
Next steps
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-11-01.
Common questions
What is the property tax rate in South Carolina?
The effective property tax rate in South Carolina is 0.48%: the median tax of $1,251 divided by the median home value of $259,000 (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024).
What is a typical home value in South Carolina?
$304,319 in September 2026, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.
Does South Carolina have a real estate transfer tax?
Yes. The state transfer tax is 0.37% of the price, usually paid by the seller.
Who offers first-time homebuyer help in South Carolina?
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, the state housing finance agency, offers down payment assistance and lower-rate loans for eligible buyers.
Updated . Official sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, Zillow Research ZHVI.
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