South Carolina Property Taxes: Rates and Bills by County

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In tax year 2026, the median South Carolina homeowner paid $1,227 in property taxes, a median effective rate of 0.66% of market value, compared with 1.27% nationally. Rates range from 0.40% in Berkeley County to 2.01% in Greenwood County, because each county, city, and school district sets its own tax rate.

Median South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.66%
Median South Carolina home value: $188,850
Median South Carolina property tax bill: $1,227
Highest median bill: Beaufort County $2,445
Lowest median bill: Chesterfield County $37

Last Updated October 26, 2026

South Carolina Property Tax Calculator

Property Assessed Value

$100,000

$1,500,000

$3,000,000

Median Effective Tax Rate

0.66%

Estimate Property Tax Bill

$1,246

$1,157

How Property Taxes Work in South Carolina

In South Carolina, your county assessor estimates your home's value, and property is taxed at 4% of fair market value for a primary residence. Your bill is that assessed value, minus any exemptions, multiplied by the combined tax rate of every local government that covers your property, usually your county, city, school district, and any special districts.

The South Carolina Department of Revenue oversees property tax administration in South Carolina and publishes guidance on assessments, exemptions, and appeals.

Property Tax Bills in South Carolina

Source: Ownwell

$37

$1,241

$2,445

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.

Median South Carolina Effective Property Tax Rate

0.66%

Median South Carolina Home Value

$188,850

Median South Carolina Tax Bill

$1,227

Every property tax bill comes from three inputs:

Assessed Value
A local assessor or appraisal district estimates your home's market value. Many states then apply an assessment ratio. For example, Georgia taxes homes at 40% of market value, while Texas uses 100%. Some states, like California, cap how fast assessed values can rise for homestead properties.
Exemptions
Homestead, senior, veteran, and disability exemptions reduce the taxable value of qualifying homes, usually for a primary residence only.
Tax Rates
Each taxing authority that covers your property, typically a county, city, school district, and sometimes special districts, sets its own rate. Rates are usually expressed as millage (dollars per $1,000 of taxable value) or as a rate per $100 of value.

Your bill is your taxable value (assessed value minus exemptions) multiplied by the combined tax rate.

What is the Median Effective Property Tax Rate?

Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments. Because states and counties assess property differently, the effective rate is the clearest way to compare bills across South Carolina.

Counties With the Highest and Lowest Property Taxes

Five Highest Median Property Tax Bills

Rank	County	Median Tax Bill
1.	Beaufort County	$2,445
2.	Dorchester County	$2,309
3.	Charleston County	$2,031
4.	Greenville County	$1,678
5.	Richland County	$1,651

Five Lowest Median Property Tax Bills

Rank	County	Median Tax Bill
41.	Lee County	$219
42.	Williamsburg County	$188
43.	Marion County	$142
44.	McCormick County	$80
45.	Chesterfield County	$37

4 of 46 South Carolina counties have a median effective rate above the national 1.27%. Greenwood County has the highest median effective rate at 2.01%, and Berkeley County has the lowest at 0.40%.

Property Tax Rates and Bills by County

Rank	County	Median Effective Tax Rate	Median Home Value	Median Tax Bill	25th % Bill	75th % Bill	90th % Bill
1	Beaufort County	0.60%	$434,300	$2,445	$1,189	$4,792	$9,419
2	Dorchester County	0.67%	$335,504	$2,309	$1,453	$3,406	$5,252
3	Charleston County	0.53%	$330,300	$2,031	$1,267	$3,768	$7,943
4	Greenville County	0.75%	$203,320	$1,678	$1,056	$2,663	$4,363
5	Richland County	0.72%	$203,700	$1,651	$929	$2,788	$4,650
6	Lancaster County	0.68%	$188,300	$1,612	$676	$2,697	$3,831
7	York County	0.71%	$217,642	$1,592	$819	$2,797	$4,410
8	Berkeley County	0.40%	$348,700	$1,495	$988	$2,513	$4,940
9	Spartanburg County	0.68%	$189,700	$1,340	$735	$2,176	$3,573
10	Georgetown County	0.75%	$160,000	$1,275	$455	$2,514	$5,452
11	Horry County	0.43%	$284,846	$1,237	$683	$2,388	$4,136
12	Lexington County	0.60%	$157,196	$1,084	$612	$1,860	$3,370
13	Anderson County	0.62%	$143,710	$1,024	$531	$1,822	$3,119
14	Jasper County	0.86%	$146,700	$1,008	$249	$2,919	$4,568
15	Pickens County	0.50%	$157,500	$953	$562	$1,743	$3,358
16	Kershaw County	0.70%	$129,334	$903	$397	$1,514	$2,392
17	Newberry County	0.77%	$73,100	$829	$272	$1,659	$2,877
18	Fairfield County	0.72%	$59,200	$760	$367	$1,477	$2,819
19	Sumter County	0.75%	$90,302	$682	$232	$1,257	$1,996
20	Saluda County	0.87%	$67,100	$655	$252	$1,446	$2,817
21	Aiken County	0.48%	$126,165	$639	$244	$1,121	$1,907
22	Oconee County	0.42%	$124,120	$638	$160	$1,504	$3,286
23	Colleton County	1.07%	$64,000	$635	$243	$1,610	$4,153
24	Cherokee County	0.46%	$84,100	$601	$301	$1,024	$1,672
25	Florence County	0.41%	$117,803	$583	$242	$1,150	$2,047
26	Edgefield County	0.54%	$85,183	$578	$238	$1,019	$1,506
27	Bamberg County	1.26%	$45,900	$565	$137	$1,222	$2,291
28	Hampton County	1.01%	$26,900	$550	$214	$1,215	$2,118
29	Barnwell County	0.77%	$32,302	$517	$169	$1,050	$1,572
30	Laurens County	0.75%	$68,500	$513	$208	$1,086	$1,787
31	Abbeville County	0.58%	$80,800	$452	$212	$870	$1,364
32	Darlington County	0.92%	$58,000	$445	$148	$916	$1,539
33	Orangeburg County	1.07%	$42,300	$443	$148	$1,107	$2,005
34	Clarendon County	1.95%	$33,400	$419	$209	$944	$2,074
35	Calhoun County	0.54%	$67,300	$390	$165	$840	$1,330
36	Union County	0.76%	$44,900	$348	$138	$698	$1,203
37	Marlboro County	0.81%	$34,535	$323	$185	$580	$927
38	Dillon County	1.96%	$30,947	$312	$165	$805	$1,435
38	Greenwood County	2.01%	$20,000	$312	$150	$772	$1,473
40	Allendale County	0.94%	$21,200	$254	$101	$588	$1,062
41	Lee County	0.77%	$24,720	$219	$102	$422	$813
42	Williamsburg County	1.08%	$21,520	$188	$101	$419	$970
43	Marion County	1.82%	$9,500	$142	$50	$297	$898
44	McCormick County	0.71%	$11,000	$80	$39	$201	$605
45	Chesterfield County	0.52%	$6,000	$37	$23	$92	$131
—	Chester County	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Source: Ownwell

How Ownwell Can Help in South Carolina

The below services are dependent on where you live in the United States. Not all products or services are available to every property owner or homeowner.

Appeal packet
Ownwell's appeal packet gives you the evidence and filing guidance you need to appeal your assessment yourself.
Exemption filing
Ownwell checks whether you're missing any property tax exemptions and helps you apply for the ones you qualify for.
Bill reduction
Ownwell can also help lower your other recurring household bills.

Save on Your Property Taxes and More With Ownwell

Frequently Asked Property Tax Questions in South Carolina

What is the average property tax rate in South Carolina?

The median effective property tax rate in South Carolina is 0.66% of a home's market value. On the median South Carolina home value of $188,850, that's about $1,246 per year. Rates range from 0.40% in Berkeley County to 2.01% in Greenwood County.

How are property taxes calculated in South Carolina?

Your property tax bill equals your home's taxable value (its assessed value minus any exemptions) multiplied by the combined tax rate of every local government that taxes your property. Your county assessor sets the assessed value.

Which South Carolina county has the highest property taxes?

Beaufort County has the highest median property tax bill at $2,445. Greenwood County has the highest median effective rate at 2.01%.

Why did my property taxes go up?

Property taxes usually rise for one of two reasons: your assessed value increased, or a local taxing authority raised its rate. If your assessed value rose faster than your home's actual market value or that of similar properties near you, you may be able to appeal.

Can I appeal my property taxes in South Carolina?

Yes. South Carolina homeowners can appeal their assessed value with the county assessor, then the county Board of Assessment Appeals, usually within a set window after assessment notices are mailed. Successful appeals lower your assessed value, which lowers your tax bill.

What property tax exemptions are available in South Carolina?

The most common is the 4% legal residence assessment ratio for a primary residence. Many states also offer exemptions for seniors, veterans, surviving spouses, and homeowners with disabilities. Most exemptions require an application through your county assessor.

How can Ownwell help me save in South Carolina?

Ownwell can help you find and apply for property tax exemptions and lower other household bills. If our free appeal packet is available to you, you can download it and file on your own.