A South Carolina mortgage payment starts with the same formula as anywhere in the country, then picks up two costs that vary sharply by state: property tax at an effective 0.45% and homeowners insurance near $2,100 a year. On a typical South Carolina home of $305,000, those two add $289 to every monthly payment before the loan costs anything. The tool below is preloaded with that home, 10% down, and a 30-year fixed rate of 6.25%.
The South Carolina housing market at a glance
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index, statewide | $304,000 |
|---|---|
| Effective property tax rate$1,370 a year on the example home | 0.45% |
| Typical homeowners insurance$175 a month in escrow | $2,100 |
| Median household income$6,029 a month before tax | $72,350 |
| Example payment, share of median incomeAbove the 28% housing guideline | 34.7% |
Home values: Zillow, September 2026. Income, rent, and property tax: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2024. Insurance is an estimate. Sources · How every state compares
A South Carolina mortgage, line by line
| Home price | $305,000 |
|---|---|
| Down payment (10%) | $30,500 |
| Loan amount | $274,500 |
| Principal & interest at 6.25% | $1,690 |
| Property tax | $114 |
| Homeowners insurance | $175 |
| PMI at 0.5%Ends after 8 yrs 10 mo | $114 |
| Total monthly paymentHeadline result | $2,094 |
| Interest over 30 yearsHeadline result | $333,952 |
| Income for a 28% housing ratioMedian South Carolina household: $72,350 | $89,729 |
What changes the payment in South Carolina
Property taxes in South Carolina
Legal residence status cuts the assessment ratio from 6% to 4% of market value — investment property always pays at 6%, which is roughly a 50% higher tax bill than an owner-occupied home. At the statewide effective rate of 0.45%, the example home pays $1,370 a year, $114 of every monthly payment. Local rates inside South Carolina vary well beyond the statewide figure, so take the number from the county assessor or the listing for any home you consider.
Homeowners insurance in South Carolina
Budget roughly $2,100 a year. Hurricane and flood exposure dominates along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts: windstorm deductibles, separate wind pools, and NFIP flood policies can add thousands per year, and lender-required coverage tightens within a few miles of the shoreline. Lenders require coverage before closing, and the premium is collected monthly in escrow, so get a quote before you make an offer.
How far a South Carolina income goes
The median South Carolina household earns about $72,350 a year. Under a 28% housing limit that supports a payment of $1,688, $406 short of the example. The South Carolina edition of the home affordability calculator solves for the price that income supports.
How to estimate your South Carolina mortgage payment
- Replace the example price with the home you are considering. The property tax figure won't update by itself; recalculate it from the listing or the county's rate.
- Enter your real down payment. Under 20% on a conventional loan, PMI is added until the balance reaches 78% of the price.
- Use a rate from a current loan estimate rather than an advertised rate, which often assumes points paid up front.
- Replace the $2,100 insurance estimate with a quote for the specific address.
- Add HOA dues if the home has them, then try extra principal to see how much interest an early payoff saves.
Methodology
Principal and interest use the standard fixed-rate amortization formula, M = L × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)^−n). Property tax is the statewide effective rate applied to the example price; insurance is a typical statewide premium. PMI is charged at the stated annual rate until the balance first reaches 78% of the original price, when the Homeowners Protection Act requires it to be cancelled.
South Carolina figures are sourced statewide values, listed under Sources: Zillow's typical home value and Census income, rent, and property tax data. Insurance is an estimate. They are not quotes or appraisals; substitute your own numbers for a decision.
Sources
- Typical home value: Zillow Home Value Index (all homes, mid tier, seasonally adjusted), September 2026.
- Median household income: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B19013, 2024.
- Median gross rent: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, table B25064, 2024.
- Effective property tax rate: Median real estate taxes paid (B25103) ÷ median home value (B25077), Census ACS 1-year, the Tax Foundation's method, 2024.
- Homeowners insurance: Keystone estimate of a typical annual premium. Replace it with a quote for the address, 2026.
Read the full methodology, worked example, and caveats in the national Mortgage Calculator guide.
South Carolina FAQ
- What is the average mortgage payment in South Carolina?
- On a typical South Carolina home of $305,000 with 10% down and a 30-year fixed rate of 6.25%, the full payment comes to about $2,094 a month: $1,690 of principal and interest, $289 of taxes and insurance, and $114 of PMI. Your payment depends on the price, rate, and local tax bill.
- How much are property taxes on a South Carolina mortgage?
- South Carolina's effective property tax rate is about 0.45%, which adds $114 a month to the payment on a $305,000 home. Legal residence status cuts the assessment ratio from 6% to 4% of market value — investment property always pays at 6%, which is roughly a 50% higher tax bill than an owner-occupied home.
- How much income do I need to buy a home in South Carolina?
- To keep the example payment of $2,094 within the 28% housing guideline, a household needs about $89,729 a year of gross income, compared with a South Carolina median of $72,350. Other debts lower what a lender will approve.
- Does homeowners insurance raise my mortgage payment in South Carolina?
- Yes. Lenders collect it monthly in escrow alongside property tax. At a typical $2,100 a year, insurance adds $175 a month in South Carolina. Premiums vary by address and have risen quickly in many states, so quote it before you commit to a price.
Other state editions
Every state gets its own edition of the Mortgage Calculator, preloaded with that market's typical values, tax rates, and insurance costs: