South Carolina Mortgage Calculator & Rates Guide (2026)
Estimate your monthly payment on a South Carolina home with South Carolina-specific property tax, insurance, PMI, and HOA. Median home price in South Carolina is roughly $310,000, and the average effective property tax rate is about 0.55%.
South Carolina's 4% owner-occupied assessment ratio cuts the effective property tax bill on a primary residence dramatically compared with second homes — a major reason coastal homes there are popular as primary residences. The calculator below is pre-filled with South Carolina's median home price and an estimated property tax bill of roughly $1,705 per year (about 0.55% of $310,000). Adjust the home price, down payment, and rate to match your real-world South Carolina scenario — your monthly payment updates instantly.
Loan details
Payment breakdown
- Principal & Interest$1,609
- Property Tax$142
- Home Insurance$125
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South Carolina mortgage and housing snapshot
| Median home price | $310,000 |
|---|---|
| Average effective property tax rate | 0.55% of home value |
| Estimated annual property tax on median home | $1,705 (~$142/mo escrowed) |
| Average homeowners insurance premium | $1,500 / year |
| 2026 conforming loan limit (most counties) | $806,500 |
| Transfer / recording tax | South Carolina charges a deed recording fee of $1.85 per $500 of value (0.37%) — split between state ($1.30) and county ($0.55) — typically paid by the seller. |
| Homestead / property tax cap | South Carolina taxes owner-occupied primary residences at a 4% assessment ratio (vs. 6% for second homes/rentals) and offers a Homestead Exemption that exempts the first $50,000 of fair market value for homeowners 65+, blind, or totally disabled. |
Figures are 2025/2026 approximations from public data (Census, NAR, FHFA, NAIC, Tax Foundation). Use them for planning; confirm exact tax bills, insurance, and conforming limits with your lender, insurer, and county assessor.
Why South Carolina's housing math is different
Property tax burden. South Carolina's average effective property tax rate of about 0.55% of home value sits well below the U.S. national average of roughly 1.0%. South Carolina taxes owner-occupied primary residences at a 4% assessment ratio (vs. 6% for second homes/rentals) and offers a Homestead Exemption that exempts the first $50,000 of fair market value for homeowners 65+, blind, or totally disabled. On the median South Carolina home, that translates to roughly $1,705 a year — money that's escrowed into your mortgage payment whether you notice it or not.
Insurance and disaster risk. The typical South Carolina homeowners policy runs about $1,500 per year. That tracks the national average, with regional variation depending on weather exposure and proximity to coast or wildfire-urban-interface zones.
Closing-cost reality. South Carolina charges a deed recording fee of $1.85 per $500 of value (0.37%) — split between state ($1.30) and county ($0.55) — typically paid by the seller. Add roughly 2-3% of the price for typical lender fees (origination, appraisal, title, escrow), and South Carolina buyers should plan for total closing costs in the 3-5% range on top of the down payment.
Loan-limit context. The 2026 conforming loan limit for most counties in South Carolina is $806,500. The median South Carolina home price sits comfortably below this ceiling, so most buyers can use a standard conforming loan rather than a jumbo.
Common loan types in South Carolina
The default for most South Carolina buyers with 5%+ down and a 620+ credit score. Loans up to $806,500 (most counties) avoid jumbo pricing. PMI is required under 20% down and auto-cancels at 22% equity.
Backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Low 3.5% down with credit scores down to 580. Popular with first-time South Carolina buyers, but FHA mortgage insurance (MIP) usually stays for the life of the loan unless you put 10%+ down.
Zero-down loans for eligible active-duty service members, veterans, and qualifying surviving spouses. No PMI and competitive rates. South Carolina veterans should compare VA pricing against conventional — the no-PMI advantage often wins below 20% down.
Zero-down loans for buyers in USDA-designated rural and many suburban areas with moderate incomes. Many South Carolina markets fit USDA's price and income limits — worth checking eligibility on the USDA map.
Run any of these scenarios in the calculator above by adjusting the down payment and rate. For a side-by-side, see our FHA vs. conventional, VA loan, and USDA loan guides.
South Carolina mortgage FAQ
What are typical mortgage rates in South Carolina in 2026?
Mortgage rates in South Carolina closely track national averages because most home loans are sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or government-backed agencies that price loans on a national basis. Your actual rate depends far more on your credit score, down payment, loan term, and discount points than on the state you live in. Use the calculator above with your target rate to see how a small rate move changes your South Carolina monthly payment.
How much is property tax on a typical home in South Carolina?
South Carolina's average effective property tax rate is approximately 0.55% of home value. On a median $310,000 home in South Carolina, that works out to roughly $1,705 per year, or about $142 per month escrowed into your mortgage payment. Actual bills vary by county and city.
What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in South Carolina?
For most counties in South Carolina, the 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit home is $806,500. Loans above that are 'jumbo' loans and typically have stricter credit and down-payment requirements. Some high-cost counties in South Carolina may use a higher limit set by the FHFA — check your specific county before locking a rate.
How much homeowners insurance should I budget for in South Carolina?
The average annual homeowners insurance premium in South Carolina is roughly $1,500. Coastal, wildfire, hail, and flood-prone areas can be substantially higher. Your lender will require proof of coverage at closing, and the premium is typically escrowed monthly along with property tax.
Do I have to pay PMI on a South Carolina mortgage?
PMI rules are federal, not state-specific. Most conventional South Carolina mortgages require private mortgage insurance when your down payment is below 20% of the home's price, typically 0.3%-1.5% of the loan amount per year. PMI auto-cancels at 22% equity per the federal Homeowners Protection Act. FHA loans use MIP instead, and VA and USDA loans skip PMI entirely.
What transfer or recording taxes do South Carolina buyers and sellers pay?
South Carolina charges a deed recording fee of $1.85 per $500 of value (0.37%) — split between state ($1.30) and county ($0.55) — typically paid by the seller.
Is there a homestead exemption in South Carolina?
South Carolina taxes owner-occupied primary residences at a 4% assessment ratio (vs. 6% for second homes/rentals) and offers a Homestead Exemption that exempts the first $50,000 of fair market value for homeowners 65+, blind, or totally disabled.
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Ready to find your real rate?
Compare personalized rates from top lenders. Most checks are a soft credit pull only.
Compare 5+ Lenders
See personalized rate quotes from multiple top lenders in one place.
- ✓Soft credit pull only
- ✓5+ competing rate quotes
- ✓Free, no obligation
Get Your Rate in 60 Seconds
Modern, fully online lender with fast pre-approvals.
- ✓100% online application
- ✓Pre-approval in minutes
- ✓No origination fees on most loans
America's Largest Mortgage Lender
Established direct lender with a full range of loan products.
- ✓Wide loan-product selection
- ✓Full-service support
- ✓Highly rated for borrower satisfaction
Advertiser disclosure: cards above are sponsored. We may earn a commission when you compare lenders through our partners — at no cost to you. Compensation does not influence which lenders are shown.