South Carolina · Property Tax & Closing Costs
South Carolina property tax by county
Property tax rates, median home values, and closing cost estimates for all 46 counties in South Carolina. The average effective rate across the state is 0.52%, ranking South Carolina 40 of 51 (below-average property taxes). Data is sourced from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates.
Average rate
0.52%
across 46 counties
National rank
#40
of 51, highest rate first
Median home value
$172,700
county median in state
Rate range
0.33%–0.88%
Horry County → Allendale County
Same home, different county
On a $172,700 home (the typical county median in South Carolina), the annual property tax bill depends heavily on where you buy:
Difference
$950/yr
$79/mo · $9,499 over 10 years
Estimate: purchase price × each county's effective rate. Actual bills depend on assessed value, local levies, and exemptions.
Lowest property tax rates in South Carolina
The five South Carolina counties with the lowest effective property tax rates, useful for buyers comparing total cost of ownership across the state.
| County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Horry County | 0.33% |
| Pickens County | 0.37% |
| Oconee County | 0.38% |
| Charleston County | 0.39% |
| Calhoun County | 0.41% |
Highest property tax rates in South Carolina
The five South Carolinacounties with the highest effective property tax rates. High rates often reflect strong school district funding or municipal services rather than weakness, but they materially change a buyer's monthly carrying cost.
| County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Allendale County | 0.88% |
| Bamberg County | 0.83% |
| Hampton County | 0.80% |
| Barnwell County | 0.73% |
| Richland County | 0.67% |
South Carolina real estate transfer tax
South Carolina charges a combined transfer tax of about 0.37% of the purchase price. On a $172,700 home, that is roughly $639 in total.
| Paid by | Rate | On $172,700 |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer | 0.00% | $0 |
| Seller | 0.37% | $639 |
Deed Recording Fee $1.85/$500 (0.37%) unified statewide, comprising $1.30 state portion + $0.55 county portion. Seller-paid by custom.
South Carolina is an attorney-closing state: expect a real estate attorney fee of roughly $600–$1,500 at closing.
Official South Carolina source → · Verified April 2026
Closing costs in South Carolina
Across South Carolina's 46 counties, buyer closing costs run $3,098 to $10,903 at each county's median home value with 20% down. Cash needed at closing, with closing costs and the down payment, runs $18,338 to $108,723. Pick your county for your own figures.
South Carolina closing cost calculatorSouth Carolina property tax exemptions
Ways buyers in South Carolina 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 →Act 388 Reassessment Cap
Increases from countywide reassessment are capped at 15% over five years. A sale is an assessable transfer of interest, which revalues the property at market.
View official source →Last verified April 2026. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently. Always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.
All 46 counties in South Carolina
Effective property tax rate, median home value, and median annual taxes paid for every county in South Carolina. Click a county to open its full property tax calculator and closing cost breakdown.
| County | Rate |
|---|---|
| Abbeville County | 0.44% |
| Aiken County | 0.41% |
| Allendale County | 0.88% |
| Anderson County | 0.45% |
| Bamberg County | 0.83% |
| Barnwell County | 0.73% |
| Beaufort County | 0.48% |
| Berkeley County | 0.45% |
| Calhoun County | 0.41% |
| Charleston County | 0.39% |
| Cherokee County | 0.43% |
| Chester County | 0.56% |
| Chesterfield County | 0.42% |
| Clarendon County | 0.56% |
| Colleton County | 0.55% |
| Darlington County | 0.41% |
| Dillon County | 0.53% |
| Dorchester County | 0.56% |
| Edgefield County | 0.43% |
| Fairfield County | 0.51% |
| Florence County | 0.43% |
| Georgetown County | 0.41% |
| Greenville County | 0.51% |
| Greenwood County | 0.53% |
| Hampton County | 0.80% |
| Horry County | 0.33% |
| Jasper County | 0.57% |
| Kershaw County | 0.47% |
| Lancaster County | 0.50% |
| Laurens County | 0.41% |
| Lee County | 0.57% |
| Lexington County | 0.49% |
| Marion County | 0.47% |
| Marlboro County | 0.60% |
| McCormick County | 0.56% |
| Newberry County | 0.67% |
| Oconee County | 0.38% |
| Orangeburg County | 0.65% |
| Pickens County | 0.37% |
| Richland County | 0.67% |
| Saluda County | 0.51% |
| Spartanburg County | 0.55% |
| Sumter County | 0.53% |
| Union County | 0.56% |
| Williamsburg County | 0.66% |
| York County | 0.48% |
Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, tables B25077 (median home value) and B25103 (median real estate taxes paid). Effective rate is computed as median taxes paid divided by median home value at the county level and represents the typical owner-occupied home. Actual bills vary by purchase price, exemptions, and special assessments.