South Carolina's average effective property tax rate is roughly 0.48%–0.57% of market value (most current sources cluster around 0.51%–0.53%), which is well below the national average — commonly cited as ~0.99%-1.1% depending on source methodology (WalletHub/Tax Foundation vintages differ slightly, but SC is consistently reported as roughly half the U.S. average). This makes South Carolina one of the lowest property-tax states in the country (multiple 2026 rankings place it around #46-#48 of 50 states). The low effective rate stems largely from South Carolina's unusual assessment structure: owner-occupied primary residences ("legal residence") are assessed at only 4% of fair market value versus 6% for second homes, rental, and commercial property, and Act 388 (2006) eliminated the school operating-tax portion of the bill on owner-occupied homes in exchange for a 1-cent statewide sales tax increase. Rates vary by county/municipality since millage is set locally — coastal/tourism counties with large commercial and non-owner-occupied tax bases (e.g., Horry, Beaufort) can have effectively lower owner-occupied rates due to tax-base sharing, while some inland counties run somewhat higher.
Example: Estimates vary by data vintage and home-value assumptions, but a representative current figure: the median South Carolina homeowner pays approximately $1,199–$1,251 per year in property tax, on a median home value of roughly $237,000–$259,000 (i.e., an effective rate in the 0.48%-0.51% range on a typical owner-occupied home). Older/lower-value benchmarks (e.g., ~$689/year on a $137,500 home) reflect stale median home-value assumptions rather than a different rate.
Figures for effective rate and median tax bill vary noticeably by source (WalletHub, SmartAsset, Tax Foundation, county-level aggregators) because they use different home-value denominators and data years — treat any single decimal-point rate as an estimate, not a precise legal figure. The only load-bearing exact dollar figures that are officially codified are the exemption amounts ($50,000 homestead; 100% for qualifying disabled veterans), which are confirmed directly from South Carolina Department of Revenue pages (dor.sc.gov). Practical tip: SC's 4% owner-occupied assessment ratio is not automatic — homeowners must file for the legal residence special assessment with their county assessor's office (and the $50,000 homestead exemption requires a separate application, typically through the county auditor or MyDORWAY) or they will be taxed at the higher 6% non-owner-occupied rate.</notes>
Facts on this page reflect research current as of 2026-07-05. Programs, rates, and laws change — confirm current figures with the relevant state agency before relying on them.