South Carolina— Property Tax & Closing Costs
2024 Census dataEffective tax rate
0.43%
of assessed value annually
Median home value
$177,900
2024 ACS survey
Median taxes paid
$756/yr
2024 data
Florence County's 0.43% effective property tax rate ranks 265th lowest among the 3,134 US counties tracked, placing it in the bottom 10% lowest nationally. Within South Carolina's 46 counties, it's the 11th lowest. On the county's median home value of $177,900, the typical homeowner pays $756 annually in property tax — $873 less than the national median of $1,629. At closing, South Carolina's 0.37% combined real estate transfer tax adds roughly $658 on a median-priced home, typically paid by the seller.
Calculate your true cost
Enter any purchase price to see the full cost breakdown for Florence County.
County median: $177,900
Leave at $0 if the property has no homeowners association.
LTV: 80.00%
At closing
Monthly ongoing
Year one
Moderate flood risk. Some neighborhoods require flood insurance — check your property at msc.fema.gov.
All figures are estimates for planning purposes only. Mortgage payment assumes a 30-year fixed rate of 6.8% — your lender will confirm the actual rate. Closing costs vary by lender and transaction. Consult a licensed real estate attorney and lender before making any financial decisions.
South Carolina property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in Florence County may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.
Legal Residence 4% Assessment Ratio
Primary residences are assessed at 4% of fair market value (vs. 6% for other real property) and are exempt from school operating millage. Must be approved before the Homestead Exemption.
View official source →Homestead Exemption
Complete exemption from property tax on the first $50,000 of fair market value of a legal residence for homeowners 65+, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind.
View official source →Disabled Veterans Exemption
Full property tax exemption on home and up to one acre for veterans with permanent and total service-connected disability, qualifying surviving spouses, or Medal of Honor recipients.
View official source →Last verified 2026-04. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently — always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about buying a home in Florence County.
The effective property tax rate in Florence County is 0.43% — calculated as the median annual property tax paid ($756) divided by the median home value ($177,900), using 2024 US Census ACS 5-year estimates. Your actual bill depends on your purchase price, homestead or senior exemptions, and any special assessments applied in your taxing district.
South Carolina's combined real estate transfer tax is approximately 0.37% of the purchase price. On the median Florence County home value of $177,900, this adds roughly $658 at closing. Deed Recording Fee $1.85/$500 (0.37%) unified statewide, comprising $1.30 state portion + $0.55 county portion. Seller-paid by custom.
Only in parts. About 7.2% of Florence County's land area is within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. Most homes are outside these zones, but worth verifying the specific address at msc.fema.gov.
Closing costs for a buyer in Florence County typically run $3,558–$8,895 (2–5% of purchase price) on a median-priced home, including title insurance ($800–$2,000), appraisal ($400–$700), home inspection ($350–$600), recording fees ($100–$300), and loan origination (0.5–1.0% of the loan amount). Use the calculator above for a specific estimate at your purchase price.
Data sources for Florence County
Every figure on this page is traceable. Verify the numbers yourself against the original public data.
Source for the 0.43% effective property tax rate, median home value, and median taxes paid (ACS 5-year, 2024 vintage).
Source for county-level flood zone exposure, wildfire risk, and other natural hazard ratings. Updated quarterly by FEMA.
Look up a specific property's flood zone and insurance rate map before making an offer on a home in Florence County.
Guides for South Carolina home buyers
What every buyer should read before making an offer.
HOA Documents
HOA lawsuits — how to check for pending litigation against your future HOA before you close
A buyer closed on a house and only then found out about ongoing HOA lawsuits. Six checks you can run yourself before your contingencies expire.
Read the guide →HOA Documents
Undisclosed HOA special assessment — what you can do if you find out after closing
HOA special assessment not on the disclosure? One buyer got a $15,000 bill the day after closing. How to catch it before — and what to do after.
Read the guide →