What is the average mortgage rate in South Carolina in 2026?

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in South Carolina is approximately 6.9% as of 2026, close to the national average of 6.8%. Rates vary by lender, credit score, and loan type.

What is the average monthly mortgage payment in South Carolina?

For a $305,000 home with 20% down in South Carolina, the estimated PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) is approximately $1,872/month at 6.9%.

Do I need PMI in South Carolina?

Yes — if your down payment is less than 20%, lenders in South Carolina require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). This typically adds 0.5–1% of the loan amount per year to your payment. PMI is removed once you reach 20% equity.

What is the average home price in South Carolina?

The median home price in South Carolina is approximately $305,000 in 2026, based on recent market data. Prices vary significantly by city and county.

What is the property tax rate in South Carolina?

South Carolina's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.52%, which translates to roughly $1,586 per year on a $305,000 home.

South Carolina Mortgage Calculator 2026

Estimate your full monthly mortgage payment in South Carolina — principal & interest, property taxes, homeowner insurance, and PMI if applicable. Uses the 6.9% average 2026 rate and South Carolina-specific costs. Calculated privately in your browser.

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The South Carolina Mortgage Calculator is a free, browser-based tool that estimates monthly PITI (principal, interest, taxes, insurance) plus PMI for a South Carolina home loan. It uses the 6.9% average 2026 rate and SC-specific 0.52% property tax to show your true monthly payment range in seconds — no sign-up, all calculations stay on your device. Updated 2026-07-16.

How South Carolina Mortgage Rates Compare in 2026

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in South Carolina is approximately 6.9% in 2026 — 0.10 percentage points above the 6.80% national average. Rates in South Carolina are influenced by local housing demand, median credit scores, and the share of conforming versus jumbo loans in the market.

On a $305,000 home with 20% down, a 6.9% rate produces a monthly principal and interest payment of approximately $1,607. A 0.25% rate increase adds roughly $30 to your monthly payment, so shopping multiple lenders can save thousands over the life of the loan.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) often start lower but carry rate-reset risk. Most South Carolina homebuyers choose 30-year fixed loans for payment predictability, especially with home prices currently at $305,000. FHA loans (3.5% down) and VA loans (0% down for veterans) are also popular in South Carolina.

Last updated: May 2026. Rates shown are estimates based on national Freddie Mac data adjusted for South Carolina market conditions.

South Carolina-Specific Closing Costs and Fees

Beyond your down payment, South Carolina homebuyers pay closing costs averaging 2–5% of the loan amount. On a $244,000 loan, that is approximately $4,880–$12,200 due at closing. Key fees include:

Origination fee: 0.5–1% of the loan amount for lender processing.
Title insurance: Protects against prior ownership claims. Required by most South Carolina lenders.
Appraisal: $400–$700 to confirm the home value matches the purchase price.
Prepaid property taxes: South Carolina lenders typically collect 2–3 months of property tax at closing into an escrow account. At 0.52%, that is approximately $396 upfront.
Homeowners insurance: First year premium (~$1,600) is usually paid at closing.
Transfer taxes: Vary by county in South Carolina — ask your agent for local rates.

Some of these costs are negotiable. Sellers sometimes cover a portion of buyer closing costs as a concession, particularly in slower South Carolina markets.

First-Time Buyer Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority SC Housing Homebuyer Program. These programs can reduce the cash needed to close by thousands of dollars, making homeownership more accessible in South Carolina's current market.

FHA loans are available nationwide and require only 3.5% down with a 580+ credit score — ideal for first-time buyers in South Carolina who have limited savings. USDA loans offer 0% down for eligible rural properties in South Carolina. VA loans are available to qualified veterans and active-duty service members with no down payment required and no PMI.

If your down payment is below 20%, Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) adds approximately $122/month to your payment at a 0.6% annual rate. PMI can be removed once your loan-to-value ratio reaches 80%, so making extra payments accelerates the timeline to dropping PMI.

Mortgage Calculator South Carolina — Worked PITI for a $305,000 Home in 2026

Concrete example under today's SC market. Assume a $305,000 median-priced home, 20% down ($61,000), $244,000 loan at 6.9% (30-year fixed), 0.52% property tax, and $1,600/year homeowners insurance. Monthly principal & interest lands at $1,607; property tax adds $132/month; insurance adds $133/month. Total PITI ≈ $1,872/month — no PMI because the down payment is at the 20% threshold. Over the full 30-year term, interest paid totals roughly $334,633, so the true cost of a $244,000 loan is $578,633. Cross-check the base rate against the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) for the current national 30-year fixed benchmark before locking with your lender. For SC-specific millage and the 4%-legal-residence assessment ratio, see the South Carolina Department of Revenue property tax page.

Source: Freddie Mac PMMS (national 30-year fixed benchmark) + SC DOR property-tax methodology. Updated 2026-07-16.