Starr is home to the best residential real estate investment market in South Carolina.
The 29684 zip code in Starr presents the greatest opportunity for the best real estate investments among the 844 individual real estate markets in South Carolina we evaluated. We looked at property values, population trends, and six other metrics for each market. We used that data to calculate each market's InvestScore.
5 best places to invest in South Carolina
| Rank | City | InvestScore | Affordability | Property value appreciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starr | 100 | 3.5 | 77.80% |
| 2 | Aynor | 96.6 | 3.7 | 74.62% |
| 3 | Williamston | 95.8 | 3.6 | 72.36% |
| 4 | Columbia | 94.8 | 3.3 | 73.29% |
| 5 | Pickens | 94.6 | 4.1 | 70.35% |
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1. Starr
We've identified the 29684 zip code in Starr as South Carolina's best real estate investment market. Here's why.
🔎 Key data about Starr
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 844 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 29684 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 100 | Highest |
| Typical property value | $217,518[1] | 83rd lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 77.80%[2] | 13th highest |
| Household income | $62,533[3] | 92nd highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.5 | 50th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 38.3%[4] | 4th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6%[5] | 159th lowest |
| Property taxes | $682[6] | 52nd lowest |
| Educational attainment | 9.9%[7] | 206th highest |
Starr (zip code 29684) is the best residential real estate investment market in South Carolina. It has the 13th highest property value appreciation among markets we evaluated, with a 77.80% appreciation of the typical property over the last five years.
Starr is the 50th most affordable market among the 844 South Carolina markets we evaluated, with an affordability ratio of 3.5.
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2. Aynor
The 29511 zip code in Aynor is the runner-up spot for the best real estate investments in South Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Aynor
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 844 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 29511 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 96.6 | 2nd highest |
| Typical property value | $269,985[8] | 119th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 74.62%[9] | 18th highest |
| Household income | $72,699[10] | 53rd highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.7 | 71st most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 19.7%[11] | 18th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1%[12] | 149th lowest |
| Property taxes | $667[13] | 47th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 17.5%[14] | 156th highest |
The 29511 zip code in Aynor features a typical property value of $269,985, the 119th lowest in the state.
Property values have appreciated 74.62% over the past five years, the 18th highest increase among evaluated markets in the state. Aynor homes have an affordability ratio of 3.7, the 71st most affordable in the state.
3. Williamston
The 29697 zip code in Williamston comes in at No. 3 in our ranking of the best residential real estate investment markets in South Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Williamston
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 844 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 29697 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 95.8 | 3rd highest |
| Typical property value | $255,724[15] | 105th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 72.36%[16] | 25th highest |
| Household income | $70,109[17] | 64th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.6 | 65th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 12.5%[18] | 42nd highest |
| Unemployment rate | 5%[19] | 102nd lowest |
| Property taxes | $937[20] | 106th lowest |
| Educational attainment | 20%[21] | 132nd highest |
With a typical property value of $255,724, Williamston's 29697 zip code features the 105th lowest property values in the state.
Williamston homes have an affordability ratio of 3.6, the 65th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
4. Columbia
The 29203 zip code in Columbia ranks No. 4 among South Carolina's residential real estate investment markets.
🔎 Key data about Columbia
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 844 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 29203 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 94.8 | 4th highest |
| Typical property value | $126,981[22] | 19th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 73.29%[23] | 22nd highest |
| Household income | $39,015[24] | 22nd highest |
| Affordability ratio | 3.3 | 34th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 4.0%[25] | 99th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 10%[26] | 199th lowest |
| Property taxes | $722[27] | 63rd lowest |
| Educational attainment | 22.4%[28] | 118th highest |
Property values in Columbia's 29203 zip code have seen the 22nd highest increase among evaluated markets in the state, with an appreciation of 73.29% over the past five years.
Columbia's affordability ratio of 3.3 makes it the 34th most affordable among the 844 markets we evaluated.
5. Pickens
The 29671 zip code in Pickens rounds out our top five residential real estate investment markets in South Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Pickens
| Data point | Value | Rank in state (of 844 markets) |
|---|---|---|
| Zip code | 29671 | N/A |
| InvestScore | 94.6 | 5th highest |
| Typical property value | $258,496[29] | 108th lowest |
| Five-year appreciation | 70.35%[30] | 30th highest |
| Household income | $63,430[31] | 30th highest |
| Affordability ratio | 4.1 | 105th most affordable |
| Five-year population growth | 8.8%[32] | 69th highest |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7%[33] | 26th lowest |
| Property taxes | $709[34] | 61st lowest |
| Educational attainment | 18.1%[35] | 151st highest |
Property values in Pickens's 29671 zip code rose 70.35% over the last five years, ranking the city 30th highest among evaluated markets in South Carolina.
Pickens homes have an affordability ratio of 4.1, the 105th most affordable among the markets we evaluated.
Investing in residential real estate can be one of the best passive real estate investments in South Carolina.
Residential real estate offers accessible passive income and the potential to compound your original investment.
Renting out residential units is the top way to invest in real estate. House hacking also offers a great opportunity for passive real estate investment income.
How we rank residential real estate markets in South Carolina
To determine the best real estate investments in South Carolina we evaluated 844 markets on eight metrics, and then assigned an InvestScore based on their weighted and combined rankings. Each market corresponds to a specific zip code in South Carolina.
What is InvestScore?
InvestScore is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the residential real estate investment potential of a given market. It takes into account a suite of key data points for each city.
- Typical property value: This measures the typical home value in this zip code, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. It reflects the typical value for homes in the 35th to 65th percentile range, including all homes, with the numbers smoothed and seasonally adjusted. We prefer lower property values, which indicate both more room for growth and a greater ease of purchase. We assign a weight of 20% to typical property values.
- Property value appreciation: This measures how much property values have increased in the area over the past five years, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. We prefer a higher appreciation, as it indicates better returns on housing. However, past performance isn't indicative of future results. We assign a weight of 20% to property value appreciation.
- Median household income: This is the inflation-adjusted median household income in the zip code, according to U.S. Census American Community Survey data. We prefer a higher household income, as it indicates local residents have more income to spend on housing. We assign a weight of 10% to median household income.
- Affordability ratio: This is the ratio of the typical home value to the median household income in the area. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home, which indicates higher demand. We assign a weight of 15% to the affordability ratio.
- Population growth: This is how much the area's population has grown over the past five years, according to U.S. Census estimates. Higher is better, as it indicates residents are moving into the area at a rapid clip. We assign a weight of 10% to population growth.
- Unemployment rate: This is the unemployment rate in the area, according to U.S. Census data. We prefer a lower rate, as it indicates the availability of steady employment in the area, meaning residents will find it much easier to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to unemployment rate.
- Property tax: This is the median real estate property tax paid in the area, according to U.S. Census estimates. We assign a weight of 10% to property tax.
- Educational attainment: This is the percentage of residents in the area that have obtained a bachelor's degree or better, according to U.S. Census estimates. We prefer a higher rate because it indicates local residents who have higher earning potential and thus should be able to afford homes. We assign a weight of 15% to educational attainment.
🚨 Disclaimer: The information contained in this article isn't intended as, and shall not be understood or constituted as, financial advice. The information in this article isn't a substitute for financial advice from an investment professional or real estate agent who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your financial situation or the specifics of any individual property.
