Best Places to Buy Rental Property in South Carolina (2026)
We ranked all 28 South Carolina counties that have both a median home price and a median rent, ordered by the cap rate a median-priced rental would produce. Fairfield County leads at 8.3%, with a median price of $194,460.
South Carolina counties ranked by cap rate
| # | Market | Cap rate | Median price | Median rent | Cash flow | Analyze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfield County, SC | 8.3% | $194,460 | $2,056 | $317 | Run numbers |
| 2 | Orangeburg County, SC | 6.3% | $164,481 | $1,318 | -$5 | Run numbers |
| 3 | Sumter County, SC | 5.8% | $204,805 | $1,523 | -$84 | Run numbers |
| 4 | Kershaw County, SC | 5.8% | $259,845 | $1,927 | -$109 | Run numbers |
| 5 | Darlington County, SC | 5.6% | $171,127 | $1,226 | -$100 | Run numbers |
| 6 | Florence County, SC | 5.5% | $204,380 | $1,440 | -$136 | Run numbers |
| 7 | Laurens County, SC | 5.5% | $201,181 | $1,415 | -$135 | Run numbers |
| 8 | Greenwood County, SC | 5.4% | $178,347 | $1,231 | -$135 | Run numbers |
| 9 | Richland County, SC | 4.8% | $245,186 | $1,510 | -$304 | Run numbers |
| 10 | Lexington County, SC | 4.8% | $274,819 | $1,689 | -$343 | Run numbers |
| 11 | Aiken County, SC | 4.8% | $246,685 | $1,505 | -$315 | Run numbers |
| 12 | Chester County, SC | 4.8% | $216,340 | $1,320 | -$276 | Run numbers |
| 13 | Newberry County, SC | 4.7% | $226,258 | $1,364 | -$300 | Run numbers |
| 14 | Cherokee County, SC | 4.4% | $191,977 | $1,076 | -$307 | Run numbers |
| 15 | Spartanburg County, SC | 4.2% | $278,707 | $1,513 | -$478 | Run numbers |
| 16 | Berkeley County, SC | 4.1% | $376,003 | $1,976 | -$686 | Run numbers |
| 17 | Horry County, SC | 4.1% | $321,007 | $1,684 | -$588 | Run numbers |
| 18 | Dorchester County, SC | 3.9% | $350,084 | $1,758 | -$692 | Run numbers |
| 19 | Oconee County, SC | 3.8% | $293,603 | $1,443 | -$601 | Run numbers |
| 20 | Pickens County, SC | 3.8% | $309,162 | $1,491 | -$652 | Run numbers |
| 21 | Greenville County, SC | 3.7% | $340,295 | $1,609 | -$738 | Run numbers |
| 22 | Anderson County, SC | 3.6% | $293,217 | $1,369 | -$647 | Run numbers |
| 23 | Georgetown County, SC | 3.6% | $388,789 | $1,815 | -$858 | Run numbers |
| 24 | Lancaster County, SC | 3.5% | $386,823 | $1,724 | -$907 | Run numbers |
| 25 | York County, SC | 3.3% | $392,403 | $1,643 | -$989 | Run numbers |
| 26 | Jasper County, SC | 3.2% | $400,100 | $1,620 | -$1,044 | Run numbers |
| 27 | Beaufort County, SC | 2.8% | $555,638 | $2,010 | -$1,606 | Run numbers |
| 28 | Charleston County, SC | 2.8% | $617,997 | $2,176 | -$1,825 | Run numbers |
Looking for every county in the state, including those without rent data? Browse the full South Carolina market directory.
How this ranking is calculated
We scored 28 counties in South Carolina and ranked them by capitalization rate, calculated as annual net operating income divided by median home price. Markets without both a median home price and a median rent are excluded, because cash flow cannot be estimated without both.
Every figure assumes a median-priced home rented at the local median rent, financed with 20 percent down on a 30-year loan at 6.85%, with closing costs at 3 percent of price and operating costs at 35 percent of rent. Operating costs cover taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management.
These are modeled estimates for comparing markets, not quotes on a specific property. A real deal turns on the individual property, its condition, and the actual rent it can command. Run any market that interests you through the calculator with real numbers before you make an offer.
National rankings
Compare South Carolina against the rest of the country.
Best Cash Flow Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated monthly cash flow on a median-priced rental, after mortgage and operating costs.
Highest Cap Rate Markets for Rental Property
US counties ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental, using local median rent and a 35 percent operating cost assumption.
Best Rental Markets Under $200,000
US counties with a median home price under $200,000, ranked by estimated cap rate on a median-priced rental.
Cheapest Markets With Positive Cash Flow
The lowest-priced US counties where a median-priced rental still covers its mortgage and operating costs.
Best Appreciation Markets for Real Estate Investors
US counties ranked by appreciation score, blending recent home price growth with the risk of an overheated market.
Best Overall Real Estate Markets to Invest In
US counties ranked by overall investment score, blending cash flow, appreciation, stability, and affordability.
Other states
States with fewer than 5 counties reporting both price and rent are omitted, because a ranking that short would not be meaningful.
Run the numbers on a South Carolina property
Start from Fairfield County median values and replace them with a real listing price and rent to see whether the deal actually works.