City · 8,993 residents · Oconee County, South Carolina
Seneca, South Carolina
In Seneca, a typical home is worth $240,000 and typical rent is $807 a month. Compared with all of Oconee County, typical household income is 17% lower, typical rent is 8% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 25 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $240,958 to $305,201.
Typical rent
$1,458a month
▲ 2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, June 2023 to September 2026: from $1,315 to $1,458.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Seneca is in Oconee County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Oconee County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
51% of households in Seneca own their home, against 76% in Oconee County.
2
Seneca has the 7th lowest typical rent of the 100 cities in South Carolina with more than 5,000 people ($807).
3
The typical household income in Seneca is $52,022,17% less than in Oconee County as a whole ($62,388).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Seneca
What homes there are in Seneca, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
United States
Kind of home: Seneca and its comparisons
Measure
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
United States
Detached house
59%
69%
65%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
16%
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
5%
13%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
20%
14%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
In Seneca, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Oconee County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
United States
Year built: Seneca and its comparisons
Measure
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
United States
Before 1960
16%
12%
12%
26%
1960–1979
31%
23%
21%
24%
1980–1999
21%
33%
31%
25%
2000–2009
12%
18%
18%
14%
2010 or later
21%
15%
19%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200K19%
$200K–$300K39%
$300K–$500K23%
$500K–$750K5%
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Seneca and its comparisons
Measure
Seneca
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
19%
$200K–$300K
39%
$300K–$500K
23%
$500K–$750K
5%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50030%
$500–$99934%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $894
$1,000–$1,49927%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Seneca and its comparisons
Measure
Seneca
Under $500
30%
$500–$999
34%
$1,000–$1,499
27%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Oconee County is $894: about 57% of rents in Seneca are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,313 a month
Oconee County: $1,367 a month
Without a mortgage
$390 a month
Oconee County: $418 a month
Owners with a mortgage
60%
Oconee County: 47%
Owning costs about the same in Seneca as in Oconee County: with a mortgage, $1,313 a month; without one, $390.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Seneca+52%
Oconee County+48%
South Carolina+60%
United States+53%
Typical rent
SenecaNo clear change
Oconee County+16%
South Carolina+32%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Seneca+27%
Oconee County+27%
South Carolina+30%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Seneca and its comparisons
Measure
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
United States
Typical home value
+52%
+48%
+60%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
+16%
+32%
+33%
Typical household income
+27%
+27%
+30%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Seneca gained value faster than in Oconee County: 52% against 48%.
The typical rent in Seneca stayed about the same over that time: the difference is within the Census margin of error.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Seneca and its comparisons
Measure
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
7.2%
8.3%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.5%
2.0%
3.4%
People per household
2.18
2.31
2.44
2.53
Drive alone
79%
76%
76%
69%
Carpool
14%
12%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
3%
Work from home
4%
10%
12%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Households in Seneca are smaller: 2.18 people on average; in Oconee County, 2.31.
In Seneca, 79% of workers drive alone to work; in Oconee County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Seneca?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Seneca, worth $240,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 44% of the typical household income in Seneca, which is $52,022 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $81,452 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Oconee County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Seneca. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $8,400 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$1,901
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$235,653
Total interest
$339,049
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,053 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,214 a month
Tight
$1,214 to $1,561 a month
Hard
more than $1,561 a month
Your payment · 44%
Compared with the typical household income in Seneca ($52,022 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,596
Property tax
$98
Home insurance
$100
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$106
You need at least $8,400 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $1,901; principal and interest $1,596.
The city and its county
Seneca and Oconee County
Seneca is in Oconee County, South Carolina. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Seneca
Map of Oconee County, South Carolina, with Seneca marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Seneca
Oconee County
Other cities with a page
Seneca's own numbers
Typical home value
$240,000
Typical monthly rent
$807
Typical yearly household income
$52,022
Households that own their home
51%
Effective property tax rate
0.49%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Oconee County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$894
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+67%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.4%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Oconee County.
A typical home in Seneca is worth $240,000: about the same as the county and 7% below South Carolina. With the typical household income in Seneca ($52,022 a year), a typical home costs 4.6 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Seneca4.6 years
Oconee3.8 years
South Carolina3.7 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Oconee County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Oconee County rose 121% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Oconee County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Oconee County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +5.8% +5.8% 2016
2017: +3.8% +3.8% 2017
2018: +7.5% +7.5% 2018
2019: +5.7% +5.7% 2019
2020: +5.6% +5.6% 2020
2021: +13.0% +13.0% 2021
2022: +21.8% +21.8% 2022
2023: +8.2% +8.2% 2023
2024: +5.5% +5.5% 2024
2025: +6.6% +6.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Oconee County, South Carolina and the United States
Period
County
South Carolina
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.6%
+3.6%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+67%
+60%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+121%
+104%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Seneca next to Oconee County, South Carolina and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Seneca$240,000
Oconee$237,100
South Carolina$259,000
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Seneca$807
Oconee$881
South Carolina$1,180
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Seneca$52,022
Oconee$62,388
South Carolina$69,324
United States$80,734
See the full table
Seneca next to Oconee County and South Carolina
Measure
Seneca
Oconee County
South Carolina
U.S.
Typical home value
$240,000
$237,100
$259,000
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$807 ▼8% below the county
$881
$1,180
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$52,022 ▼17% below the county
$62,388
$69,324
$80,734
Households that own their home
51% ▼25 points below the county
76%
72%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$1,175 ▲31% above the county
$899
$1,251
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.49% ▲0.11 points above the county
0.38%
0.48%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
52% ▲3 points above the county
48%
52%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Oconee County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Seneca
For a typical $240,000 home in Seneca, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Seneca's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,901a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$8,400
Cash to close
$15,600
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $106
Conventional, 5% down$1,857a month
Down payment
$12,000
Cash to close
$19,200
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $114
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,499a month
Down payment
$48,000
Cash to close
$55,200
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,721a month
Down payment
$36,000
Cash to close
$43,200
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Seneca
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,901
$8,400
$235,653
7.18%
FHA MIP · $106
$15,600
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,857
$12,000
$228,000
7.18%
PMI · $114
$19,200
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,499
$48,000
$192,000
7.18%
None
$55,200
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,721
$36,000
$204,000
8.18%
None
$43,200
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Seneca is $807 a month: 8% below the county. In Seneca, 52% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Oconee County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($894 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $17.19 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Oconee County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$650
$12.50
$26,000
1 bedroom
$683
$13.13
$27,320
2 bedrooms
$894
$17.19
$35,760
3 bedrooms
$1,090
$20.96
$43,600
4 bedrooms
$1,204
$23.15
$48,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Seneca
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Seneca has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $930 in 29672 to $1,210 in 29678.
2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Oconee County ($894).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Seneca, fiscal year 2027.
29672
$690
$710
$930
$1,130
$1,280
29678
$1,050
$1,100
$1,210
$1,460
$1,750
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
29672 $930$1,130
29678 $1,210$1,460
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Seneca when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 12 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Seneca. These are the largest.
Second ST/Sixth ST Apt113 N Hunter St, Seneca 29678225 low-income homes · Run by SC Regional Housing Authority No 1 · Average payment: $334 a month · Average wait: 12 months(864) 984-0578
Seneca Gardens Apts819 Laing Ct, Seneca 2967877 homes, 76 low-income · 1 bd: 13 · 2 bd: 40 · 3 bd: 16 · 4 bd: 7 · In service since 2007 · For families(864) 882-1067
Pine Ridge1000 Hillsborough Dr, Seneca 2967856 low-income homes · For families(864) 882-1701
Applewood Villas410 W South 4th St, Seneca 2967850 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 32 · 3 bd: 14 · In service since 2013
Hunter Oaks Apartments804 Hunter Oaks Dr, Seneca 2967850 low-income homes · 2 bd: 35 · 3 bd: 15 · In service since 2018 · For families
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Oconee County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Seneca or Oconee County. The ones below are statewide in South Carolina: they work in Seneca the same as in the rest of the state.
South Carolina state agency program with forgivable down payment assistance of 0%, 3% or 4% of the loan, with no monthly payments, for any buyer in all 46 counties.Offered by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).
South Carolina state agency fixed-rate mortgage with forgivable help for the down payment, closing costs or prepaid expenses: a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments, forgiven if you live in the home 15 years.Offered by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).
No legal help resource on our list is for Seneca or Oconee County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Seneca and all of Oconee County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Seneca?
The typical home value in Seneca is $240,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Oconee County it is $237,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Seneca?
Typical rent in Seneca is $807 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Oconee County is $894.
What is the FHA loan limit in Seneca?
Seneca uses the FHA limit for all of Oconee County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Seneca?
The typical homeowner in Seneca pays $1,175 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.49% of the home’s value; in Oconee County, the rate is 0.38%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Seneca?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Oconee County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
