Property Taxes in Buffalo, South Carolina
Median Buffalo, South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.73%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the South Carolina state median of 0.66%.
Median Buffalo, South Carolina home value: $31,400
Median annual Buffalo, South Carolina tax bill: $308, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Union calculated?
Property taxes in Buffalo, South Carolina are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Buffalo's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Buffalo, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
How Does the Buffalo Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Buffalo property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Buffalo's median effective tax rate of 0.73% — based on actual property records in Union County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Buffalo's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Buffalo: rates range from 0.73% in 29321 to 0.73% in 29321, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Buffalo.
About Buffalo Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Buffalo, Union, South Carolina
Buffalo's median effective property tax rate of 0.73% is lower than the South Carolina state median of 0.66% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Union County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Buffalo. Homeowners in the 29321 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.73%, while those in 29321 pay 0.73%. This spread — 0.00 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Union County. Understanding which part of Buffalo you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Buffalo homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before January 15, 2027.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Buffalo's effective property tax rate to other cities in South Carolina and the median property tax rates in South Carolina and the U.S.
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 Effective Buffalo Tax Rate
0.73%
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 Effective Union County Tax Rate
0.76%
Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.27%
Property Tax Rates Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29321 | 0.29% | 0.71% | 0.73% | 2.03% | 2.04% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
When examining property taxes in Buffalo, South Carolina, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Union County tax office estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Union County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of September.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Buffalo.
For example, the median home price in Buffalo is $31,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 29321 has the highest median home price at $31,400.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$19,200
$41,575
$63,950
Median Buffalo Market Value
$31,400
Median Union County Market Value
$44,900
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$274,101
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29321 | $4,850 | $12,625 | $31,400 | $69,350 | $115,550 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
Buffalo property tax bills are based on the assessed value of a home, which is then multiplied by the local tax rate to determine the amount owed. For homeowners in Buffalo, the median home price is $31,400, so even modest changes in assessed value can affect the final bill. Local taxing authorities use that assessment to fund services, and the bill can vary depending on where the property is located within Union County.
What homeowners pay can differ widely across the city. The 25th percentile tax bill is $125, while the 75th percentile tax bill is $605 and the 90th percentile tax bill is $1,070. The highest median tax bill is $308 in ZIP code 29321, and the lowest median tax bill is also $308 in ZIP code 29321. Compared with the national median property tax rate of 1.02% and the national median property tax bill of $2,400, Buffalo homeowners often see lower bills, but those taxes still affect monthly housing costs and long-term affordability.
Median Buffalo Tax Bill
$308
Median Union County Tax Bill
$348
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$3,209
Property Tax Bills Across Buffalo, Union County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29321 | $63 | $125 | $308 | $605 | $1,070 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | September 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Union Tax Assessor | |
| Website | qpublic.net |