Why does down payment vary across South Carolina?

Home prices vary widely; a 12% down payment scales with the local median. Owner financing often accepts less.

Yes, owner-finance deals commonly land in the 10-20% range. Conventional underwriting usually wants 20% to avoid PMI.

Can I find lower-down options?

Browse low-down-payment homes by city, many owner-finance and lease-option deals sit under 10%.

Buyer authority SC

Estimated owner-finance down payment by city in South Carolina.

Down payments scale with home prices but flex by financing type. This ranks South Carolina cities by an estimated typical down payment on an owner-financed or low-down deal (12% of estimated median home value). This is a modeled directional comparison, not a survey of actual closings.

Last updated September 2026

South Carolina ranking

50 cities ranked. Click any row for the matching local page.

#	City	Est. typical down payment	Score
1	Hilton Head Island	$46,700	57	View →
2	Mount Pleasant	$46,000	58	View →
3	Fort Mill	$44,200	60	View →
4	Irmo	$43,800	60	View →
5	Simpsonville	$42,800	61	View →
6	Johns Island	$41,600	63	View →
7	Chapin	$41,200	63	View →
8	Charleston	$40,400	64	View →
9	Blythewood	$40,600	64	View →
10	Ladys Island	$40,000	64	View →
11	Lexington	$38,300	66	View →
12	Greer	$38,500	66	View →
13	Bluffton	$38,500	66	View →
14	Okatie	$37,200	68	View →
15	Summerville	$35,900	69	View →
16	Clover	$36,200	69	View →
17	Columbia	$34,700	70	View →
18	Myrtle Beach	$34,800	70	View →
19	North Augusta	$34,800	70	View →
20	Murrells Inlet	$34,600	70	View →
21	Moore	$35,400	70	View →
22	Seneca	$34,100	71	View →
23	Pawleys Island	$34,100	71	View →
24	Goose Creek	$33,200	72	View →
25	Hollywood	$33,100	72	View →
26	Greenville	$32,600	73	View →
27	Rock Hill	$32,400	73	View →
28	Landrum	$32,400	73	View →
29	Aiken	$31,800	74	View →
30	Beaufort	$31,100	74	View →
31	York	$31,800	74	View →
32	Inman	$31,700	74	View →
33	Gilbert	$31,800	74	View →
34	Prosperity	$31,700	74	View →
35	Easley	$30,500	75	View →
36	Taylors	$30,700	75	View →
37	Boiling Springs	$30,800	75	View →
38	Elgin	$30,100	75	View →
39	North Myrtle Beach	$30,600	75	View →
40	Saint Helena Island	$30,500	75	View →
41	Florence	$29,900	76	View →
42	Moncks Corner	$29,400	76	View →
43	West Columbia	$29,000	77	View →
44	Ladson	$28,800	77	View →
45	Piedmont	$28,900	77	View →
46	Travelers Rest	$28,300	77	View →
47	Hanahan	$28,300	77	View →
48	Hopkins	$28,600	77	View →
49	Duncan	$28,400	77	View →
50	Effingham	$28,400	77	View →

Methodology

Estimated down = 12% of estimated median home value (representative of owner-financed and low-down deals). Conventional loans typically require 20%; FHA can be 3.5%. Use as a directional comparison.

FAQ

Why does down payment vary across South Carolina?: Home prices vary widely; a 12% down payment scales with the local median. Owner financing often accepts less.
Is 12% realistic?: Yes, owner-finance deals commonly land in the 10-20% range. Conventional underwriting usually wants 20% to avoid PMI.
Can I find lower-down options?: Browse low-down-payment homes by city, many owner-finance and lease-option deals sit under 10%.