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%, 37% below the U.S. average. Compare 46 counties below.
- $1,251
- Avg median tax
- 0.48%
- Effective rate
- #48 of 51
- U.S. rank (burden)
- 46
- Counties
The verdict
The average South Carolina homeowner pays $1,251 a year in property tax, an effective rate of 0.48%, the #48 highest burden of 51 U.S. states.
- $1,251
- Average median tax, 2024
- 0.48%
- Statewide effective rate
- #48 of 51
- U.S. states by tax burden
- 46
- counties measured
Effective rate is the median property tax bill divided by the median home value ($259,000). U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2024.
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 in Beaufort County.
What This Data Tells Us About South Carolina
The statewide average property tax in South Carolina is $1,251 per year, 37% below the national average of $1,993, based on Census ACS state-level estimates. The statewide effective rate of 0.48% on a median home value of $259,000 reflects how South Carolina's assessment rules and local millage combine at the household level; the 46 counties below show how that varies locally.
Within South Carolina, median annual tax ranges from $436 in Marion County (effective rate 0.47%) to $2,174 in Beaufort County (effective rate 0.48%). Median home values in South Carolina ($259,000) compared with $227,791 nationally help explain why the same effective rate produces different dollar bills in different states. Within-state variation often tracks local school levies, county bonds, and municipal overlays rather than a single statewide rate.
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 based on assessed value, exemptions, special districts, and local overlays. Always confirm current rates with your county assessor or a qualified professional before making decisions that rely on these numbers.
State Average vs National Average
How South Carolina compares
Average effective property tax rate vs the national average, ACS 2024.
South Carolina has a higher effective property tax rate than 6% of U.S. states, ranking #48 of 51 for property tax burden.
Top 5 Lowest Tax Counties
Top 5 Highest Tax Counties
Tax Affordability Score
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.
How this score is calculated: a 1-10 scale derived mechanically from the ratio of this state's average effective rate to the national average effective rate (0.92%) - a ratio at or below 0.5× scores 10, a ratio at or above 2.0× scores 1, with a linear scale between. It is a factual comparison of Census figures only, not a recommendation, quality rating, or endorsement of South Carolina or any other state.
All Counties in South Carolina (46)
| County (by tax bill) | Median tax | Eff. rate | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County | $2,174 | 0.48% | $455,600 |
| Charleston County | $1,901 | 0.39% | $489,100 |
| Jasper County | $1,852 | 0.57% | $325,500 |
| Dorchester County | $1,851 | 0.56% | $329,300 |
| York County | $1,740 | 0.48% | $361,300 |
| Lancaster County | $1,657 | 0.50% | $329,900 |
| Richland County | $1,637 | 0.67% | $242,800 |
| Greenville County | $1,512 | 0.51% | $299,000 |
| Berkeley County | $1,400 | 0.45% | $310,300 |
| Spartanburg County | $1,274 | 0.55% | $233,300 |
| Georgetown County | $1,190 | 0.41% | $289,500 |
| Newberry County | $1,154 | 0.67% | $173,300 |
| Lexington County | $1,151 | 0.49% | $234,500 |
| Anderson County | $1,043 | 0.45% | $231,900 |
| Kershaw County | $1,013 | 0.47% | $217,100 |
| Greenwood County | $964 | 0.53% | $180,500 |
| McCormick County | $948 | 0.56% | $168,700 |
| Horry County | $944 | 0.33% | $287,700 |
| Colleton County | $900 | 0.55% | $162,500 |
| Oconee County | $899 | 0.38% | $237,100 |
| Aiken County | $897 | 0.41% | $218,000 |
| Hampton County | $897 | 0.80% | $112,000 |
| Chester County | $890 | 0.56% | $158,300 |
| Clarendon County | $883 | 0.56% | $158,000 |
| Sumter County | $881 | 0.53% | $165,300 |
| Edgefield County | $875 | 0.43% | $202,700 |
| Pickens County | $866 | 0.37% | $231,900 |
| Bamberg County | $811 | 0.83% | $97,800 |
| Abbeville County | $782 | 0.44% | $178,800 |
| Fairfield County | $776 | 0.51% | $151,200 |
| Barnwell County | $775 | 0.73% | $106,000 |
| Florence County | $756 | 0.42% | $177,900 |
| Orangeburg County | $749 | 0.65% | $115,800 |
| Saluda County | $747 | 0.51% | $146,500 |
| Calhoun County | $704 | 0.41% | $172,100 |
| Laurens County | $698 | 0.41% | $170,600 |
| Williamsburg County | $687 | 0.66% | $104,500 |
| Allendale County | $669 | 0.88% | $76,200 |
| Darlington County | $652 | 0.41% | $158,200 |
| Cherokee County | $614 | 0.43% | $142,000 |
| Lee County | $599 | 0.57% | $104,600 |
| Union County | $579 | 0.56% | $103,600 |
| Marlboro County | $496 | 0.60% | $82,000 |
| Chesterfield County | $487 | 0.42% | $116,200 |
| Dillon County | $452 | 0.53% | $85,400 |
| Marion County | $436 | 0.47% | $93,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does South Carolina compare to the national average? ▼
Which county in South Carolina has the lowest property taxes? ▼
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What is the median home value in South Carolina? ▼
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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 2026-06-09.