Buying in South Carolina: what the numbers look like
South Carolina sits mid-pack for property taxes — 0.51% average effective rate (40th of 50, national average ≈ 0.94%), which works out to about $1,530 a year on the typical $300,000 home. On the insurance side, South Carolina homeowners average about $2,700 a year — near the 50-state average of $2,682. Coastal wind pools apply along the shore.
Put together at an illustrative 6.5% rate (30-year, 20% down), the typical South Carolina purchase pencils out near $1,869/month: $1,517 principal & interest + $128 tax + $225 insurance. That's the number the calculator above starts from — swap in your real price, rate quote, and county figures to make it yours.
Property taxes & closing costs in South Carolina
Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% versus 6% for other property — the primary-residence discount is unusually large.
Transfer tax: Deed recording fee of $1.85 per $500 (0.37%). Closing costs also include lender, title, and recording fees — typically 2–5% of the price all-in.
South Carolina at a glance
| Typical home value (Zillow, 2025) | $300,000 (30th highest) |
| Avg. effective property tax (2023) | 0.51% ≈ $128/mo |
| Avg. home insurance (2025) | $2,700/yr ≈ $225/mo |
| Example payment (typical home, 6.5%, 20% down) | $1,869/mo |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the mortgage payment on a typical South Carolina home?
The typical South Carolina home runs about $300,000 (Zillow, 2025). With 20% down ($60,000) on a 30-year loan at an illustrative 6.5% rate, the full monthly payment is roughly $1,869 — $1,517 principal & interest, $128 property tax, and $225 insurance. Adjust every input above to match your own price and quote.
What is the property tax rate in South Carolina?
South Carolina's average effective rate is 0.51% of home value — the 40th lowest — that is, 11th lowest in the nation (Tax Foundation, 2023 data). On the typical $300,000 home that is about $1,530 per year. Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% versus 6% for other property — the primary-residence discount is unusually large.
How much is homeowners insurance in South Carolina?
Roughly $2,700 per year on average for $300k of dwelling coverage (Bankrate, 2025) — above the 50-state average of $2,682. Coastal wind pools apply along the shore.
Nearby states & more tools
Compare: North Carolina mortgage calculator · Georgia mortgage calculator · Tennessee mortgage calculator · Virginia mortgage calculator — or see all 50 states compared.
Not sure of your price range? Start with the home affordability calculator, then fine-tune here. The full mortgage calculator has extra payments and PMI controls too.
Data & sources: Property tax — Effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing, calendar year 2023 (Tax Foundation analysis of Census ACS data, published 2025). Home value — Typical home value, Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), 2025, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Insurance — Average annual homeowners insurance premium for $300k dwelling coverage (Bankrate/Quadrant 2025), rounded to the nearest $50. State-level figures are planning defaults, not quotes: property taxes vary by county and city, insurance varies by home and insurer, and home values move monthly. Every value prefills the calculator but remains editable. The 6.5% rate is illustrative, not an offer or a prediction — always enter a real quote.
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