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Best Cities for Rental Property in South Carolina

15 South Carolina cities ranked by estimated cap rate. The average cap rate across South Carolina markets is 4.9%, with median home prices averaging $298K and rents averaging $1,554/mo. Orangeburg leads with a 8.6% cap rate at a $150K median price. South Carolina's low average property tax rate of 0.57% gives investors a significant cash flow advantage.

4.9%
Avg Cap Rate
$298K
Avg Price
$1,554/mo
Avg Rent
15
Cities Tracked

South Carolina Rental Market Analysis

South Carolina offers 15 investable rental markets tracked by CapRateCity. The state average cap rate of 4.9% is above the 3.81% national average, making South Carolina an attractive state for cash flow investors. No cities pass the 1% rule at median prices, so value-add strategies are essential.

Prices and rents: South Carolina home prices average $298K, which is 11% below the national average of $333K. Rents average $1,554/mo.

Taxes and costs: Property taxes average 0.57% across South Carolina, below the 1.08% national average — a meaningful cash flow advantage that adds roughly $1,525 per year to NOI on an average-priced property. Greenville has the lowest rate at 0.55%.Vacancy averages 5.5%, tighter than the national average — favorable for landlords.

Growth outlook: Population growth across South Carolina averages 1.89% per year, led by Myrtle Beach at 3.8%. Home values are appreciating at 3.4% annually on average. Strong population growth is driving housing demand and supporting both rent increases and price appreciation across the state.

Bottom line: South Carolina offers moderate opportunities for rental investors. The best deals are in cities at the top of the ranking — use the calculators on each city page to model specific properties.

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How South Carolina Compares to National Averages

Metric
South Carolina
National Avg
Avg Cap Rate
4.9%
3.8%
Avg Home Price
$298K
$333K
Avg Rent
$1,554/mo
$1,524/mo
Property Tax
0.57%
1.08%
Vacancy Rate
5.5%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.89%/yr
0.92%/yr

South Carolina Cities by Cap Rate Tier

Above 8% (1)6% – 7% (2)5% – 6% (2)4% – 5% (6)3% – 4% (4)

All 15 South Carolina Cities Ranked

1
Orangeburg, SC8.6% cap rate
$150K median$1,320/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
2
Florence, SC6.6% cap rate
$185K median$1,300/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
3
Sumter, SC6.4% cap rate
$205K median$1,410/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
4
Greenwood, SC5.6% cap rate
$170K median$1,050/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
5
Columbia, SC5.6% cap rate
$250K median$1,540/mo rent0.56% tax0.8% growth
6
Gaffney, SC4.9% cap rate
$180K median$990/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
7
Georgetown, SC4.6% cap rate
$380K median$1,990/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
8
Spartanburg, SC4.4% cap rate
$275K median$1,420/mo rent0.57% tax0.8% growth
9
Greenville, SC4.4% cap rate
$305K median$1,550/mo rent0.55% tax1.6% growth
10
Myrtle Beach, SC4.3% cap rate
$335K median$1,680/mo rent0.58% tax3.8% growth
11
Seneca, SC4.2% cap rate
$280K median$1,380/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth
12
Charleston, SC3.9% cap rate
$430K median$1,970/mo rent0.57% tax2.2% growth
13
North Charleston, SC3.8% cap rate
$430K median$1,970/mo rent0.58% tax1.8% growth
14
Rock Hill, SC3.7% cap rate
$385K median$1,720/mo rent0.56% tax2.2% growth
15
Hilton Head Island, SC3.1% cap rate
$515K median$2,020/mo rent0.57% tax1.9% growth

Other South States

Mississippi (9 cities · 6.3% avg)Louisiana (13 cities · 5.9% avg)West Virginia (10 cities · 5.9% avg)Alabama (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Oklahoma (18 cities · 5.7% avg)Georgia (26 cities · 5.0% avg)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Carolina a good state for rental property investing?
South Carolina has an average cap rate of 4.9% across 15 cities, which is above the national average of 3.81%. The best-performing city is Orangeburg at 8.6%. Average home prices of $298K offer affordable entry points. Property taxes at 0.57% are investor-friendly.
What is the best city to buy rental property in South Carolina?
Orangeburg leads South Carolina with a 8.6% cap rate, $150K median price, and $1,320/mo rent. The best city depends on your strategy — cash flow investors should look at the top of this ranking, while growth-focused investors may prefer Myrtle Beach (3.8% population growth). Use the calculators on each city page to model specific deals.
What are property taxes like in South Carolina?
Property taxes in South Carolina average 0.57%, which is below the 1.08% national average. The lowest rate is in Greenville at 0.55%. On an average-priced home of $298K, annual taxes are approximately $1,697.
How many South Carolina cities pass the 1% rule?
0 of 15 South Carolina cities (0%) pass the 1% rule at median prices. None pass at median prices, meaning investors should target below-median properties or use value-add strategies to improve returns. The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price.

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