The 29646 zip code in Greenwood tops our ranking of the most affordable places to live in South Carolina.
We looked at 161 zip codes in the state, evaluating home values, rental costs, energy rates, property taxes, and five other affordability indicators. We used the data we gathered to calculate our proprietary Affordability Score for each zip code.
Top 10 most affordable places to live in South Carolina
| Rank | City | Affordability Score | Median home value | Rental costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenwood 🥇 | 100.0 | $141,356 | $868 |
| 2 | Laurens 🥈 | 97.7 | $180,602 | $873 |
| 3 | Gaffney 🥉 | 95.4 | $226,413 | $998 |
| 4 | Newberry | 90.5 | $170,131 | $1,689 |
| 5 | North Augusta | 88.4 | $224,566 | $1,402 |
| 6 | Lake City | 88.3 | $127,350 | $1,689 |
| 7 | Bennettsville | 87.8 | $81,101 | $1,689 |
| 8 | Florence | 87.5 | $236,804 | $1,284 |
| 9 | Kingstree | 86.8 | $112,334 | $1,689 |
| 10 | Orangeburg | 86.3 | $123,255 | $1,217 |
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1. Greenwood
Here's why the 29646 zip code in Greenwood is South Carolina's most affordable place to live.
🔎 Key data about Greenwood
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 100.0 | No. 1 | N/A |
| Median home value | $141,356[1] | No. 9 | -$189,759.47 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 13 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 15.6%[2] | No. 14 | -22.8% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -0.8%[3] | No. 11 | -1.7% |
| Rental costs | $868[4] | No. 1 | -$821 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.95% | No. 30 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $44,441[5] | No. 148 | -$29,481 |
| Property taxes | $845[6] | No. 38 | -$538 |
| Energy costs | $0.13 kWh[7] | No. 6 | -$0.02 |
Greenwood's 29646 zip code is the cheapest place to live in South Carolina, leading the 161 markets we evaluated.
The median home value is $141,356, making it the 9th-cheapest housing market in the state. Forecasts project a -0.8% change in home values in the next year. Rent in the zip code averages $868 per month, which is the 30th cheapest amount in South Carolina.
The median property tax for homeowners in Greenwood is $845 per household, the No. 38 ranked market in South Carolina.
Residents pay $0.13 per kWh of electricity, which ranks No. 6 among South Carolina markets.
2. Laurens
The 29360 zip code is the 2nd-cheapest place to live in South Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Laurens
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 97.7 | No. 2 | N/A |
| Median home value | $180,602[8] | No. 23 | -$150,514.26 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 24 | -1.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 1.4%[9] | No. 2 | -37.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 1.1%[10] | No. 84 | 0.2% |
| Rental costs | $873[11] | No. 2 | -$816 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.62% | No. 8 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $53,941[12] | No. 122 | -$19,981 |
| Property taxes | $702[13] | No. 21 | -$681 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[14] | No. 46 | $0.00 |
Laurens's 29360 zip code has a median home value of $180,602, which is the 84th-cheapest housing market in South Carolina. You can rent for an average of $873 per month. That's the 2nd-cheapest price in the state.
The average household income in the zip code is $53,941, which ranks 122nd-highest in the state.
Homeowners in Laurens pay a median property tax of $702 per year, making it the 21st-most affordable market in South Carolina.
Laurens ranks No. 46 among South Carolina energy markets. You'll pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity.
3. Gaffney
The 3rd-cheapest place to live in South Carolina is Gaffney's 29341 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Gaffney
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 95.4 | No. 3 | N/A |
| Median home value | $226,413[15] | No. 46 | -$104,703.14 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.9 | No. 62 | -0.6 |
| Home value five-year change | 16.9%[16] | No. 17 | -21.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -3.8%[17] | No. 3 | -4.7% |
| Rental costs | $998[18] | No. 3 | -$690 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.72% | No. 12 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $58,029[19] | No. 110 | -$15,893 |
| Property taxes | $823[20] | No. 35 | -$560 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[21] | No. 28 | -$0.01 |
The No. 46 cheapest housing market in South Carolina is Gaffney's 29341 zip code, with a median home value of $226,413. Rents in the market average $998 per month, making it the 3rd-most affordable rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Gaffney is $823, which makes it the 35th-cheapest place in South Carolina. Gaffney ranks No. 28 among South Carolina markets by energy costs. Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity.
4. Newberry
The 29108 zip code in Newberry comes in at No. 4 on our list of the cheapest places to live in South Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Newberry
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 90.5 | No. 4 | N/A |
| Median home value | $170,131[22] | No. 21 | -$160,985.34 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.2 | No. 12 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 1.3%[23] | No. 1 | -37.1% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.6%[24] | No. 5 | -2.5% |
| Rental costs | $1,689[25] | No. 66 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.28% | No. 64 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $53,558[26] | No. 123 | -$20,364 |
| Property taxes | $1,059[27] | No. 68 | -$324 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[28] | No. 121 | $0.00 |
The No. 21 cheapest housing market in South Carolina is Newberry's 29108 zip code, where the median home value is $170,131. Renters here pay an average of $1,689 per month.
When it comes to energy costs, Newberry ranks 121st among South Carolina markets. Residents pay $0.15 per kWh of electricity.
The median property tax for households in the zip code is $1,059, which makes it the 68th-cheapest market in South Carolina.
5. North Augusta
The 29841 zip code in North Augusta ranks No. 5 among South Carolina's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about North Augusta
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.4 | No. 5 | N/A |
| Median home value | $224,566[29] | No. 43 | -$106,550.32 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.1 | No. 11 | -1.3 |
| Home value five-year change | 25.4%[30] | No. 22 | -13.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.7%[31] | No. 40 | -0.2% |
| Rental costs | $1,402[32] | No. 24 | -$286 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.96% | No. 31 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $71,606[33] | No. 68 | -$2,316 |
| Property taxes | $964[34] | No. 59 | -$419 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[35] | No. 116 | $0.00 |
North Augusta's 29841 zip code has a median home value of $224,566, the 43rd-cheapest market in the state. Forecasts project a 0.7% change in home values in the next year.
The median property tax per household in North Augusta is $964. It's the 59th-cheapest market by tax rate in South Carolina.
6. Lake City
The No. 6 most affordable place to live in South Carolina is the 29560 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Lake City
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 88.3 | No. 6 | N/A |
| Median home value | $127,350[36] | No. 6 | -$203,766.37 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 5 | -1.7 |
| Home value five-year change | 15.6%[37] | No. 15 | -22.7% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.6%[38] | No. 27 | -0.3% |
| Rental costs | $1,689[39] | No. 66 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.28% | No. 64 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $46,601[40] | No. 144 | -$27,321 |
| Property taxes | $589[41] | No. 12 | -$794 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[42] | No. 48 | $0.00 |
The back half of our top 10 kicks off with Lake City's 29560 zip code, which has the 6th-cheapest home values in South Carolina. The median home value is $127,350. Rents average $1,689 per month, making it the 66th-most affordable rental market in the state.
Residents pay $0.14 per kWh of electricity. It's the 48th-cheapest energy market.
7. Bennettsville
Bennettsville's 29512 zip code is the 7th-cheapest place to live in South Carolina.
🔎 Key data about Bennettsville
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.8 | No. 7 | N/A |
| Median home value | $81,101[43] | No. 1 | -$250,014.85 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.3 | No. 2 | -2.1 |
| Home value five-year change | 38.4%[44] | No. 88 | 0.0% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -7.1%[45] | No. 1 | -8.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,689[46] | No. 66 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.28% | No. 64 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $34,734[47] | No. 159 | -$39,188 |
| Property taxes | $532[48] | No. 7 | -$851 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[49] | No. 102 | $0.00 |
You'll find the 1st-cheapest home values in South Carolina in Bennettsville's 29512 zip code. The median value: $81,101. Renters in Bennettsville pay an average of $1,689 per month.
Homeowners in Bennettsville pay a median property tax of $532 per year, which is South Carolina's 7th-most affordable market.
The average household income is $34,734, which ranks 159th-highest in the state.
8. Florence
The 8th-cheapest place to live in South Carolina is Florence's 29501 zip code.
🔎 Key data about Florence
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 87.5 | No. 8 | N/A |
| Median home value | $236,804[50] | No. 52 | -$94,311.96 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 19 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 34.9%[51] | No. 62 | -3.5% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.5%[52] | No. 14 | -0.4% |
| Rental costs | $1,284[53] | No. 12 | -$405 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 1.79% | No. 17 | -0.5% |
| Median household income | $71,671[54] | No. 67 | -$2,251 |
| Property taxes | $1,018[55] | No. 65 | -$365 |
| Energy costs | $0.15 kWh[56] | No. 102 | $0.00 |
The 52nd-cheapest housing market in South Carolina is Florence's 29501 zip code, with a median home value of $236,804. Renters pay an average of $1,284 per month, the No. 12 rental market in the state.
The median property tax for households in Florence is $1,018, which makes it the 65th-cheapest place in South Carolina. The average household income of $71,671 ranks 67th.
9. Kingstree
Kingstree's 29556 zip code sneaks into the top ten of South Carolina's most affordable places to live.
🔎 Key data about Kingstree
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.8 | No. 9 | N/A |
| Median home value | $112,334[57] | No. 3 | -$218,782.36 |
| Home affordability ratio | 2.7 | No. 3 | -1.8 |
| Home value five-year change | 18.1%[58] | No. 18 | -20.3% |
| Home value one-year forecast | 0.9%[59] | No. 47 | 0.0% |
| Rental costs | $1,689[60] | No. 66 | $0 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 2.28% | No. 64 | 0.0% |
| Median household income | $42,365[61] | No. 152 | -$31,557 |
| Property taxes | $800[62] | No. 34 | -$583 |
| Energy costs | $0.14 kWh[63] | No. 48 | $0.00 |
The 3rd-cheapest housing market in South Carolina is Kingstree's 29556 zip code, where the median home value is $112,334. Renters pay an average of $1,689 per month. It's the state's 66th-cheapest rental market.
The median property tax for households within the zip code is $800, which makes it the 34th-cheapest property tax rate in South Carolina.
10. Orangeburg
The final spot on our list of the most affordable places to live in South Carolina goes to the 29115 zip code in Orangeburg.
🔎 Key data about Orangeburg
| Data point | Value | Rank (out of 161 markets) | Difference from median or average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability Score | 86.3 | No. 10 | N/A |
| Median home value | $123,255[64] | No. 4 | -$207,860.83 |
| Home affordability ratio | 3.3 | No. 15 | -1.2 |
| Home value five-year change | 7.5%[65] | No. 7 | -30.9% |
| Home value one-year forecast | -1.8%[66] | No. 4 | -2.7% |
| Rental costs | $1,217[67] | No. 7 | -$472 |
| Rent affordability ratio | 3.22% | No. 154 | 0.9% |
| Median household income | $37,751[68] | No. 157 | -$36,171 |
| Property taxes | $713[69] | No. 22 | -$670 |
| Energy costs | $0.16 kWh[70] | No. 138 | $0.01 |
The 4th-most affordable market in South Carolina is Orangeburg's 29115 zip code. The median home value is $123,255. Rent in the market costs $1,217 per month on average, making it the 7th-most affordable rental market in South Carolina.
The median property tax for households in Orangeburg is $713, which is the 22nd-cheapest property tax rate in the state.
Orangeburg ranks No. 138 among South Carolina markets by energy costs, with households paying $0.16 per kWh of electricity.
How we ranked the most affordable places in South Carolina
We evaluated 161 zip codes in South Carolina with a population over 10,000 on nine metrics. We then assigned each market an Affordability Score based on its weighted and combined rankings.
Our proprietary Affordability Score is a score on a scale of 0 (worst in state) to 100 (best in state) that estimates the affordability of a particular zip code. It takes into account these key data points for each zip code.
- Median home value: The median home value for each zip code comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. The lower the median home value relative to the median value in South Carolina, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 13.0% to median home value.
- Home affordability ratio. The home affordability ratio is the typical median home value divided by the median household income in the zip code, which reveals the number of years of household income needed to afford a home in that zip code. A lower ratio is better because it means more households can afford a home. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 28.0% to the home affordability ratio.
- Home value five-year change: The home value five-year change is the amount that the median home value in the zip code has risen or fallen during the last five years. Our data comes from the Zillow Home Value Index. We assign a weight of 10.0% to the home value five-year change.
- Home value one-year forecast: The home value one-year forecast comes from Zillow Forecast data. It projects how much home values in the zip code are forecasted to change in the next year. We assign a weight of 8.0% to the home value one-year forecast.
- Rental costs. The rental costs are the observed rents in the zip code, sourced from the Zillow Observed Rent Index. The index includes "listed rents that fall into the 40th to 60th percentile range for all homes and apartments in a given region." We assign a weight of 7.0% to rental costs.
- Median household income: The inflation-adjusted median household income figures for the zip code comes from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 5.0% to median household income.
- Rent affordability ratio. The rent affordability ratio is the ratio of rental costs divided by median household income, which provides the percentage of household income needed to pay a typical month’s rent in the zip code. The data comes from the Zillow Observed Rent Index and the U.S. Census American Community Survey. We assign a weight of 17.0% to the rent affordability ratio.
- Property taxes: The property tax figures are the median real estate taxes paid in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The lower the property tax rate relative to the South Carolina average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 8.0% to property taxes.
- Energy costs: The energy costs are the costs of a kilowatt hour (kWh) of residential electricity in the zip code, sourced from the U.S. Department of Energy. The lower the cost of electricity relative to the South Carolina average, the higher our score on this component. We assign a weight of 4.0% to energy costs.
✍️ Editor’s note: Our Affordability Score identifies the most affordable places in a state by zip code. Often the zip code we identify will represent an entire city or portion of a city.
Occasionally the zip code we identify will encompass an area that includes one or more small towns. In these cases, the data we’ve gathered applies to the entire zip code, not just the single town we’re using to help identify the zip code's location.
If you’re looking to move to one of these affordable places, we recommend doing additional research to make sure the costs in the area — and the quality of life it offers — meet your specific needs.
