10 Most Affordable Housing Markets in South Carolina

Those who like decent weather year-round, affordable home prices, and plenty of activities for any age should check out South Carolina.

Specifically, the ten following locales offer better value for your money than most places in the U.S.

Tired of paying rent but locked out of homeownership? You might consider setting down roots in one of these South Carolina gems.

Affordable South Carolina Cities and Typical Home Prices

1. Darlington - $145,046

With home prices this affordable, you might expect a sleepy town with nothing going on. That’s not Darlington, though. Each year, it hosts the NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500, and it's home to five nationally recognized historical districts, as well as parks, golf, and more. Those who live here won’t be bored. They probably won’t be stretching their budget, either, with an average estimated monthly mortgage cost of just $1,071.

2. Orangeburg - $159,383

The Garden City, as Orangeburg is known, is home to Edisto Memorial Gardens, featuring 4,000 plants and 75 varieties of roses. The town of about 13,000 holds the Orangeburg Festival of Roses each year to showcase its green thumb. The cost of the average home here? An estimated $1,177 per month.

3. Hartsville - $174,424

Not only is Hartsville an enjoyable and affordable place to live, but buyers who meet USDA eligibility criteria can purchase a home here with zero down payment. The USDA Rural Development home loan agency considers this area "rural" and has approved the region for this special loan type for regular single-family homes. Conventional borrowers can anticipate an average estimated monthly mortgage payment of $1,288.

4. Gaffney - $177,711

History buffs will love Gaffney’s Revolutionary War Celebrations, such as the Battle of Cowpens Anniversary. Beyond recreation, the area provides job opportunities in agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and construction. Buying a typical home in Gaffney will only set you back an estimated $1,312 per month.

5. Greenwood - $182,054

Greenwood offers incredible value for the money, with local attractions like Lake Greenwood State Park, Greenwood Mall, and Lander University. According to the city’s website, it “provides a friendly, small-town setting along with the progressive and active environment of a larger city.” Enjoy all that the city has to offer with estimated mortgage payments of just $1,344.

6. Sumter - $209,085

Sumter, located just an hour east of the state capital, Columbia, boasts a population of around 43,000. A leader in biotech, the city is home to companies such as Nova Molecular Technologies and Ipsen. Shaw Air Force Base is nearby, offering additional economic opportunities. The typical home in Sumter comes with an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $1,544.

7. Florence - $219,078

Florence is a regional hub for healthcare, providing many jobs in the area. The Florence Regional Airport offers easy access, while the annual South Carolina Pecan Festival celebrates the region's agricultural heritage with food, music, and fun. Living in Florence is affordable, thanks to the average estimated mortgage payment of $1,617 per month.

8. Columbia - $228,241

South Carolina’s capital city, Columbia, is one of the bigger metros on the list. At 136,000 in population – the state’s second most populous – there’s a metropolitan vibe here. From colleges and museums to sports and employment, Columbia offers everything that larger cities do but at a fraction of the price. Buyers can expect to pay an estimated $1,685 per month for the average home.

9. Spartanburg - $229,011

Spartanburg offers a vibrant nightlife at its many bars and restaurants, plus outdoor adventures and family activities. But it also gives a glimpse into the past with its Hub City Railroad Museum, Spartanburg Regional History Museum, and Walnut Grove Plantation. The average estimated monthly cost to live here? A cool $1,691.

10. Camden - $236,710

Camden, South Carolina, is a town steeped in history and charm. Established in 1732, it is one of the oldest inland cities in the United States. Home to the annual Carolina Cup steeplechase horse race, Camden demonstrates equestrian culture. Historic sites like the Kershaw-Cornwallis House showcase the city’s role in the American Revolution. The typical home in Camden comes with an estimated mortgage payment of $1,748 per month.

Get Pre-Approved for Your South Carolina Home

Many towns and cities across South Carolina are affordable for just about any budget. From rural towns like Gaffney and Hartsville to the capital of Columbia, it’s easy to find reasonably priced properties all across the state. See what home price you qualify for by requesting your pre-approval today.

Methodology

To find the 10 most affordable housing markets in South Carolina, we started with average home prices as reported on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) Single-Family Home Time Series for November 2025. We assumed a 5% down payment, the typical requirement for first-time buyers. We then calculated the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.395%, the recent 30-day average from rate marketplace I Can Buy based on a buyer with a 700 credit score putting 5% down. We added PMI costs per mortgage insurance provider MGIC and tax rates by state from TaxFoundation.org. Homeowner’s insurance estimates were calculated using Nerdwallet’s cost in each state for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. We multiplied this rate by 67.8%, the U.S. average of total market value represented by the structure according to ResiClub (since homeowners insurance is based on the structure, not total value). We then multiplied this rate by the average home’s total market value. We assumed no HOA dues. To increase relevancy, we limited eligible cities to the top 3,000 largest by population nationwide per Zillow data.

Estimated payments are for example purposes only. Not a commitment to lend.