A clearer path to your next home decision.Free tools. No account required. ↗
SOUTH CAROLINA / MORTGAGE SHOPPING

Compare South Carolina mortgage rates—and the costs behind them.

There is no single mortgage rate for every South Carolina borrower. Match the loan type, amount, points and lock period before comparing written offers. Then check your county’s loan limit, property expenses and assistance terms so a smaller estimate does not hide a larger bill.

Published by Shop Lender Rates · Guide updated
Platform and editorial contact: Enrique Pelayo Jr., NMLS #131435. This date describes this guide, not a live rate check.

Educational coverage does not guarantee an available originator. You choose whether to share contact details.

What should a South Carolina mortgage shopper check first?

Start with the property’s county or equivalent area, the number of units, and the lender’s authority to originate your loan.

2026 / ONE UNIT

$832,750

The same one-unit conforming limit appears throughout the state’s FHFA records. This cap applies to the loan, not the sale price.

LOCAL COVERAGE

46 areas

Abbeville County and the other areas in the table share this one-unit limit. Taxes, insurance and assistance eligibility can still differ.

OFFICIAL HOUSING RESOURCE

South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority

Use the agency’s current information to check programs and participating lenders.

Visit the housing agency ↗

Sources: FHFA’s 2026 county table and NCSHA’s state agency directory. Checked September 20, 2026.

2026 South Carolina conforming loan limits by county

Use the property’s exact jurisdiction and unit count. Being below the limit does not establish approval, a down-payment requirement or a rate; ask whether a quote uses standard conforming, high-balance or jumbo pricing.

46 of 46 areas shown. Source: FHFA 2026 county table. Search changes this table only.

2026 South Carolina · 1-unit conforming loan limits
County or equivalent areaMaximum loan amount
Abbeville County$832,750
Aiken County$832,750
Allendale County$832,750
Anderson County$832,750
Bamberg County$832,750
Barnwell County$832,750
Beaufort County$832,750
Berkeley County$832,750
Calhoun County$832,750
Charleston County$832,750
Cherokee County$832,750
Chester County$832,750
Chesterfield County$832,750
Clarendon County$832,750
Colleton County$832,750
Darlington County$832,750
Dillon County$832,750
Dorchester County$832,750
Edgefield County$832,750
Fairfield County$832,750
Florence County$832,750
Georgetown County$832,750
Greenville County$832,750
Greenwood County$832,750
Hampton County$832,750
Horry County$832,750
Jasper County$832,750
Kershaw County$832,750
Lancaster County$832,750
Laurens County$832,750
Lee County$832,750
Lexington County$832,750
Mccormick County$832,750
Marion County$832,750
Marlboro County$832,750
Newberry County$832,750
Oconee County$832,750
Orangeburg County$832,750
Pickens County$832,750
Richland County$832,750
Saluda County$832,750
Spartanburg County$832,750
Sumter County$832,750
Union County$832,750
Williamsburg County$832,750
York County$832,750

County-equivalent names follow FHFA’s table, including parishes, boroughs, planning regions and independent cities. Confirm the property’s jurisdiction with your lender. FHA limits are separate.

Original FHFA table, all counties (PDF) · Current FHFA releases · HUD’s separate FHA limit lookup. This is a dated 2026 reference, not a live underwriting feed.

Where should I look for South Carolina down-payment help?

South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority is the state housing-agency starting point listed by NCSHA. A directory listing does not mean every program is open or every applicant qualifies.

Ask for two complete options

Request a written comparison with and without assistance. Include the first mortgage’s rate and fees, the assistance balance, any monthly payment, and the amount due if you sell or refinance. Cash saved today and total financing cost are different questions.

  • Is this a grant, forgivable loan or repayable second mortgage?
  • Are there income, purchase-price, location or first-time-buyer rules?
  • Which lenders are approved, and is homebuyer education required?
  • What happens when you move, sell, refinance or repay early?

How can I compare South Carolina quotes without misleading totals?

Keep property costs and timing assumptions consistent, then compare lender-controlled pricing and the cost over your expected time in the loan.

Questions to ask before choosing a quote
CheckAsk forWhy it matters
Rate, points and creditsThe same loan amount, structure and lock periodA rate bought with points is not the same offer as a zero-point quote.
Property taxesThe actual jurisdiction and an estimate appropriate to the purchaseAsk the local tax authority whether the seller’s exemptions or assessment will apply to you.
Insurance and association costsA property-specific insurance quote, deductibles, HOA dues and known assessmentsAsk about required flood or other coverage; generic monthly placeholders can understate the budget.
Title, settlement and government chargesAn itemized provider estimate and who pays each chargeConfirm local charges and contract allocations instead of assuming one statewide closing-cost percentage.
Prepaids and escrowThe same closing date, insurance premium and tax assumptionsLower reserves or fewer prepaid days can reduce cash to close without improving the loan price.

See the CFPB Loan Estimate explainer. Use the SLR comparison worksheet to keep estimates organized.

How do I verify a South Carolina loan officer?

Match the person’s NMLS identifier, company and current licensing or registration record in NMLS Consumer Access. Confirm authority for your property state; bank originators and state-licensed originators can have different registration structures. If the record is unclear, check with the listed regulator before sending sensitive documents.

SLR’s educational pages do not confer licensing or represent every lender. Check participating originators and decide separately whom to contact.

Where can I see current mortgage-rate context?

The market dashboard labels national benchmarks by source and observation date. Those figures are not measured South Carolina rates or available loan offers. Reprice your own scenario with the lender when your property, loan details or lock timing changes.

Find the right starting point in South Carolina

Working through credit challenges?

Ask which loan programs fit your complete file and whether the lender has requirements beyond the program minimum. State assistance eligibility and mortgage approval are separate reviews.

Prepare a credit and mortgage plan →

Considering a refinance? Compare costs and your payoff timeline. Exploring home equity? Check combined payments and repayment terms before borrowing.

South Carolina mortgage questions

What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in South Carolina?

The 2026 one-unit limit is $832,750 across the 46 county-equivalent areas in FHFA’s South Carolina table. Two- to four-unit limits differ. This is a loan-amount limit, not a home-price cap or an approval.

Where can I find South Carolina homebuyer assistance information?

Start with South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority, listed in NCSHA’s state agency directory. Ask about currently open programs, approved lenders, income and purchase-price limits, education, and whether assistance must be repaid. Agency listing does not establish your eligibility or program funding.

Are the rates on this page actual South Carolina offers?

No. The market link provides dated national benchmarks. An actual South Carolina quote requires your loan and property details, current lender pricing and a defined lock period. Educational coverage of this state does not guarantee an available SLR originator.