South Carolina premium ZIP codes, ranked
| # | ZIP | Location | Voucher rent (2BR) | Voucher rent (3BR) | Typical market rent | Premium | Basis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29630 | CentralPickens County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,288 | +17% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 2 | 29902 | BeaufortBeaufort County | $2,010 | $2,395 | $1,726 | +17% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 3 | 29906 | BeaufortBeaufort County | $2,010 | $2,395 | $1,744 | +15% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 4 | 29414 | CharlestonCharleston County | $2,150 | $2,670 | $1,885 | +14% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 5 | 29456 | LadsonCharleston County | $1,890 | $2,340 | $1,668 | +13% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 6 | 29631 | ClemsonPickens County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,338 | +13% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 7 | 29687 | TaylorsGreenville County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,380 | +9% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 8 | 29708 | Fort MillYork County | $1,940 | $2,370 | $1,777 | +9% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 9 | 29662 | MauldinGreenville County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,381 | +9% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 10 | 29407 | CharlestonCharleston County | $1,910 | $2,370 | $1,752 | +9% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 11 | 29406 | North CharlestonCharleston County | $1,750 | $2,170 | $1,609 | +9% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 12 | 29492 | CharlestonBerkeley County | $2,400 | $2,980 | $2,206 | +9% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 13 | 29615 | GreenvilleGreenville County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,393 | +8% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 14 | 29485 | SummervilleDorchester County | $1,860 | $2,310 | $1,733 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 15 | 29715 | Fort MillYork County | $1,880 | $2,300 | $1,756 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 16 | 29803 | AikenAiken County | $1,340 | $1,690 | $1,251 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 17 | 29506 | FlorenceFlorence County | $1,121 | $1,444 | $1,048 | +7% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 18 | 29466 | Mount PleasantCharleston County | $2,770 | $3,430 | $2,593 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 19 | 29420 | North CharlestonDorchester County | $1,850 | $2,290 | $1,735 | +7% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 20 | 29210 | ColumbiaRichland County | $1,226 | $1,546 | $1,161 | +6% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 21 | 29732 | Rock HillYork County | $1,570 | $1,920 | $1,489 | +5% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 22 | 29646 | GreenwoodGreenwood County | $885 | $1,106 | $847 | +5% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 23 | 29673 | PiedmontGreenville County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,455 | +4% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 24 | 29486 | SummervilleBerkeley County | $2,000 | $2,480 | $1,935 | +3% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 25 | 29360 | LaurensLaurens County | $1,119 | $1,333 | $1,085 | +3% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 26 | 29464 | Mount PleasantCharleston County | $2,430 | $3,010 | $2,401 | +1% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 27 | 29910 | BlufftonBeaufort County | $2,010 | $2,395 | $1,986 | +1% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 28 | 29607 | GreenvilleGreenville County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,501 | +0% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 29 | 29640 | EasleyPickens County | $1,507 | $1,801 | $1,501 | +0% | County FMR | Analyze deal |
| 30 | 29730 | Rock HillYork County | $1,540 | $1,880 | $1,536 | +0% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
| 31 | 29410 | HanahanBerkeley County | $1,700 | $2,110 | $1,696 | +0% | ZIP SAFMR | Analyze deal |
Premium compares the 2-bedroom voucher rent to the ZIP's typical asking rent across all home sizes. Rent data provided by Zillow Research.
How these numbers are calculated
- Voucher rent is the HUD FY2027 2-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) where it applies, otherwise the county or metro Fair Market Rent. This is the basis housing authorities use to set payment standards, typically 90 to 110 percent of it, and it is a gross rent that includes a utility allowance.
- Typical market rent is the Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) for the ZIP code as of September 2026, a smoothed measure of asking rents across all home types and sizes. Rent data provided by Zillow Research.
- Premium compares the 2-bedroom voucher rent against that blended market figure, which is the conservative comparison. Premiums for 3 and 4 bedroom homes are often larger.
- The premium is a screening signal, not a guarantee. Housing authorities run a rent reasonableness review against unassisted comparables before approving any contract rent, and the payment standard is a ceiling, not an entitlement. Always verify with the local housing authority.
Sources: HUD Fair Market Rents and Zillow Research (ZORI). FMRs effective October 1 each year; ZORI updates monthly.
Frequently asked questions
- Which ZIP code in South Carolina has the biggest Section 8 premium?
- 29630 (Central) currently shows the largest gap: the 2-bedroom voucher rent basis is $1,507 against a typical market rent of $1,288, a +17% premium.
- How many ZIP codes in South Carolina pay above market rent?
- Of the 121 South Carolina ZIP codes with both HUD and market rent data, 31 currently show a voucher rent basis above the typical asking rent.
- Can I actually charge the full amount shown here?
- Not automatically. The housing authority sets a payment standard between 90 and 110 percent of the FMR or SAFMR, and every lease passes a rent reasonableness review against comparable unassisted units. Treat the premium as a screening signal for where to look, then verify with the local housing authority.