Mortgage vs free-and-clear medians
- With mortgage
- $1,444/yr
- Without mortgage
- $913/yr
- Gap
- $531
Statewide · Property tax · ACS 2024
South Carolina Property Taxes
The average South Carolina homeowner pays $1,251 a year at an effective rate of 0.48%. That bill is 37% below the U.S. median bill. Compare 46 counties below.
- $1,251
- Avg median tax
- 0.48%
- Effective rate
- #48 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 46
- Counties
South Carolina is among the lightest property-tax states: a median bill of $1,251 a year at an effective rate of 0.48%, ranking 4th-lowest of 51 U.S. jurisdictions (50 states and DC).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2024), the median South Carolina homeowner pays $1,251 a year on a home worth $259,000, an effective rate of 0.48%. The bill runs 37% below the $1,993 national median. County medians range $436 (Marion County) to $2,174 (Beaufort County) across 46 counties.
What the statewide average misses
County medians in South Carolina run from $436 in Marion County to $2,174 (Beaufort County). That range is why a statewide figure is a starting point, not a parcel-level estimate.
- $436–$2,174 (Beaufort County)
- County median-bill range
- 0.48%
- Home-weighted county rate
- 55%
- Homes in the eight largest counties
County medians come from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024. The statewide effective rate in the hero is median tax divided by median home value.
Government haul · mid share
South Carolina's government property-tax haul sits in the middle of the U.S. pack
In Census FY2024, South Carolina's state and local governments collected $8.7B in property tax - 1.2% of the U.S. total (#24 of 51).
Spread across 1,522,121 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $5,697 per home - 4.6× the ACS median homeowner bill of $1,251. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, FY2024, series LF0009 (property tax), government level State and Local (GOVTYPE 001). Amounts are published in thousands of dollars. This is a government-revenue series, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for the ACS homeowner median bill above.
ACS tenure & reporting signals · 2024
Mortgage tenure and zero-tax reporting in South Carolina
These sub-topics sit on dedicated research and guide pages fleet-wide; here they are computed for South Carolina from the same ACS tables that power county medians above.
Owners reporting no tax
- All owner-occupied
- 7.4%
- With mortgage
- 3.4%
- Sample (owned homes)
- 652,757
ACS reports what households paid, not approved exemptions. Exemption guide
County effective-rate spread
Published medians span 0.33% in Horry County to 0.88% in Allendale County - a 0.55 percentage-point gap across 46 counties.
Appeal guide for when a parcel sits above its county median.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024), Table B25087 (mortgage status medians) and county tax_distribution aggregates (zero-tax reporting shares). Informational only, not tax or legal advice.
The average median property tax in South Carolina is $1,251/year, which is 37% below the national average of $1,993. The average effective tax rate is 0.48% on a median home value of $259,000. Taxes range from $436 in Marion County to $2,174 (Beaufort County).
Read the state signal first
What the data changes in South Carolina
A rate compares places with different home values. The annual bill shows a typical dollar amount. County spread shows why neither is a parcel estimate.
The clearest local difference
County bills span a wide range
Across 46 measured counties, the published median runs from $436 in Marion County to $2,174 (Beaufort County). Local school levies, county bonds, municipal overlays, and assessment practice create this within-state spread.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures describe median homeowner households reported to the Census Bureau. Individual bills can differ with assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making a decision.
State Average vs National Average
Median Annual Tax
$1,251
-37% vs US avg
Median Home Value
$259,000
+14% vs US avg
Effective Tax Rate
0.48%
-48% vs US avg
Rate-band peers near South Carolina
Nearest ACS 2024 jurisdictions by effective rate (not geography). Each row names another state so South Carolina's 0.48% rate is read against real neighbors such as Arizona and Colorado.
| Peer state | Effective rate | Vs South Carolina | Median bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Also open Arizona for county spread | 0.48% | Arizona nearly matches South Carolina | $1,879 |
| Colorado Also open Colorado for county spread | 0.48% | Colorado nearly matches South Carolina | $2,602 |
| Nevada Also open Nevada for county spread | 0.47% | Nevada nearly matches South Carolina | $2,027 |
| Idaho Also open Idaho for county spread | 0.49% | Idaho nearly matches South Carolina | $2,038 |
| Delaware Also open Delaware for county spread | 0.50% | Delaware nearly matches South Carolina | $1,768 |
| Tennessee Also open Tennessee for county spread | 0.50% | Tennessee nearly matches South Carolina | $1,442 |
Nationwide states with similar effective rate & median bill
Two PlainPropertyTax-derived comparison paths for South Carolina, excluding South Carolina itself so the link neighborhoods are not self-referential. Median-bill peers exclude the effective-rate peer set so the two axes stay disjoint.
Similar effective rate
Nearest other states by ACS effective rate. South Carolina: 0.48%.
Similar median bill
Nearest other states by ACS median annual tax. South Carolina: $1,251/yr. Rate peers are excluded so the two link sets stay distinct.
Where South Carolina sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective property tax rate (median tax ÷ median home value) across the 50 states and DC, ACS 2024.
Where South Carolina sits among U.S. jurisdictions
Effective rate · ACS 2024 · 50 states and DC
0.48% Among the more affordable rates more affordable than 88% of 51 U.S. jurisdictions
Show national distribution
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more U.S. jurisdictions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024
South Carolina has a higher effective property tax rate than 6% of U.S. jurisdictions (the 50 states and DC), ranking #48 of 51 for property tax burden. Rate neighbors: Arizona (0.48%, nearly level); Colorado (0.48%, nearly level); Nevada (0.47%, nearly level).
What South Carolina's biggest counties actually charge
Effective rate in the eight South Carolina counties holding the most owner-occupied homes, ordered largest first (highlighted) and together holding 55% of the state's. ACS 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). Counties ordered by owner-occupied housing units (B25003_002E), not by resident population.
South Carolina's median county rate is 0.48%, but that figure counts every county equally. Weight each county by how many owner-occupied homes it actually holds and the rate a typical South Carolina homeowner faces is 0.48%, close to the plain median, so South Carolina's larger counties are not unusual for the state.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
9.9
Very Affordable
Based on the average effective tax rate of 0.48% compared to the national average of 0.92%. South Carolina has below-average property tax rates, making it a more affordable state for homeowners.
Very Expensive Very Affordable
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale from South Carolina's 0.48% vs the national 0.92% - read beside Arizona and Colorado before treating the score as band-typical. A ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, at or above 2.0× scores 1, linear between. Census figures only, not a recommendation or endorsement.
Counties in South Carolina by tax bill
Ranked from highest median annual bill downward across 46 measured counties. Gold/silver/bronze mark the top three list positions; effective rate is the focal comparison when home values differ.
| # | County | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beaufort County | $2,174 | 0.48% | $455,600 |
| 2 | Charleston County | $1,901 | 0.39% | $489,100 |
| 3 | Jasper County | $1,852 | 0.57% | $325,500 |
| 4 | Dorchester County | $1,851 | 0.56% | $329,300 |
| 5 | York County | $1,740 | 0.48% | $361,300 |
| 6 | Lancaster County | $1,657 | 0.50% | $329,900 |
| 7 | Richland County | $1,637 | 0.67% | $242,800 |
| 8 | Greenville County | $1,512 | 0.51% | $299,000 |
| 9 | Berkeley County | $1,400 | 0.45% | $310,300 |
| 10 | Spartanburg County | $1,274 | 0.55% | $233,300 |
| 11 | Georgetown County | $1,190 | 0.41% | $289,500 |
| 12 | Newberry County | $1,154 | 0.67% | $173,300 |
| 13 | Lexington County | $1,151 | 0.49% | $234,500 |
| 14 | Anderson County | $1,043 | 0.45% | $231,900 |
| 15 | Kershaw County | $1,013 | 0.47% | $217,100 |
| 16 | Greenwood County | $964 | 0.53% | $180,500 |
| 17 | McCormick County | $948 | 0.56% | $168,700 |
| 18 | Horry County | $944 | 0.33% | $287,700 |
| 19 | Colleton County | $900 | 0.55% | $162,500 |
| 20 | Oconee County | $899 | 0.38% | $237,100 |
| 21 | Aiken County | $897 | 0.41% | $218,000 |
| 22 | Hampton County | $897 | 0.80% | $112,000 |
| 23 | Chester County | $890 | 0.56% | $158,300 |
| 24 | Clarendon County | $883 | 0.56% | $158,000 |
| 25 | Sumter County | $881 | 0.53% | $165,300 |
| 26 | Edgefield County | $875 | 0.43% | $202,700 |
| 27 | Pickens County | $866 | 0.37% | $231,900 |
| 28 | Bamberg County | $811 | 0.83% | $97,800 |
| 29 | Abbeville County | $782 | 0.44% | $178,800 |
| 30 | Fairfield County | $776 | 0.51% | $151,200 |
| 31 | Barnwell County | $775 | 0.73% | $106,000 |
| 32 | Florence County | $756 | 0.42% | $177,900 |
| 33 | Orangeburg County | $749 | 0.65% | $115,800 |
| 34 | Saluda County | $747 | 0.51% | $146,500 |
| 35 | Calhoun County | $704 | 0.41% | $172,100 |
| 36 | Laurens County | $698 | 0.41% | $170,600 |
| 37 | Williamsburg County | $687 | 0.66% | $104,500 |
| 38 | Allendale County | $669 | 0.88% | $76,200 |
| 39 | Darlington County | $652 | 0.41% | $158,200 |
| 40 | Cherokee County | $614 | 0.43% | $142,000 |
| 41 | Lee County | $599 | 0.57% | $104,600 |
| 42 | Union County | $579 | 0.56% | $103,600 |
| 43 | Marlboro County | $496 | 0.60% | $82,000 |
| 44 | Chesterfield County | $487 | 0.42% | $116,200 |
| 45 | Dillon County | $452 | 0.53% | $85,400 |
| 46 | Marion County | $436 | 0.47% | $93,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which county in South Carolina has the lowest property taxes? ▼
Marion County has the lowest median property tax in South Carolina at $436 per year with an effective rate of 0.47%. The highest is Beaufort County at $2,174.
How does South Carolina compare to the national average? ▼
South Carolina property taxes are 37% below the national average. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,251 per year compared to $1,993 nationally.
What is the average property tax in South Carolina? ▼
The average median property tax paid in South Carolina is $1,251 per year, based on ACS 2024 data. The average effective tax rate is 0.48%.
Where does South Carolina sit in U.S. property-tax collections? ▼
In Census FY2024, South Carolina's state and local governments collected $8.7B in property tax - 1.2% of the U.S. total (#24 of 51). Spread across 1,522,121 owner-occupied homes, that haul is about $5,697 per home - 4.6× the ACS median homeowner bill of $1,251. The gap is expected: LF0009 covers all taxable property (including commercial and other non-household parcels), while the ACS median is a household figure.
What is the median home value in South Carolina? ▼
The median home value across South Carolina is $259,000, compared to $227,791 nationally. Home values directly impact property tax bills since taxes are assessed as a percentage of property value.
What share of South Carolina owners report paying no property tax? ▼
7.4% of owner-occupied homes in South Carolina report zero property tax on the ACS survey (3.4% among mortgaged owners). That is a reporting signal, exemptions, caps, or non-levying jurisdictions, not an exemption headcount.
Do homeowners with a mortgage pay more property tax in South Carolina? ▼
ACS 2024 medians show mortgaged owners pay $1,444/yr versus $913 for owners without a mortgage, a $531 gap. Our mortgage-gap research page ranks this spread against all states.
How are property taxes calculated? ▼
Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of a property by the local tax rate (mill rate). Rates vary by county, city, and school district. The effective tax rate shown here is the median tax paid divided by the median home value, which provides a standardized comparison across counties.
Can I appeal my property taxes in South Carolina? ▼
Yes. Every South Carolina homeowner has the right to appeal their property tax assessment. The process typically starts at your county assessor's office within 30-90 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can challenge the assessed value by providing comparable sales data, evidence of property condition, or errors in the assessment. See our guide on how to appeal property taxes for detailed steps.
What to do with South Carolina's numbers
Turn the ACS 2024 statewide medians into a county check, an estimate, or an appeal path.
- South Carolina's ACS 2024 median bill is $1,251/yr at 0.48% (37% below the U.S. median). Open any county below to see how far local bills sit from that statewide figure. County list
- Inside South Carolina, Marion County posts the lowest median bill at $436/yr; Beaufort County is highest at $2,174/yr. Open Marion County
- Estimate a parcel bill at South Carolina's published effective rate, or read the state's assessment and appeal path before treating the statewide median as your budget. State estimator
Statewide medians average across 46 counties; your parcel's assessed value, exemptions, and local levies set the real bill. U.S. Census Bureau ACS · 2024.
Editorial standards and provenance
PlainPropertyTax is rendered directly from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on the Census ACS state-level record for South Carolina. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-09.