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County in South Carolina

York County, South Carolina

York County is a county in South Carolina with 293,673 residents, No. 7 of 46 by population. In York County, the FHA loan limit for a one-unit home is $541,287, and a typical home is worth $361,300. To rent a 2-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent ($1,785 a month) without going over 30% of your income, you need to earn about $34.33 an hour.

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  • Typical home price

    $361,300

    +39% vs. South Carolina +9% vs. U.S.

    Half of owner-occupied homes are worth more and half are worth less.

    • York
    • South Carolina
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

  • Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms

    $1,785 a month

    +28% vs. South Carolina +2% vs. U.S.

    HUD's reference rent for a two-bedroom apartment, with basic utilities.

    • York
    • South Carolina
    • United States

    Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

  • FHA limit 2026, 1 unit

    $541,287

    FHA national floor limit

    The most you can borrow with an FHA loan for a one-unit home here.

    • York
    • Floor
    • Ceiling

    Source: HUD, 2026 data

  • Property tax

    0.48% of value per year

    Same as South Carolina −49% vs. U.S.

    $1,740 a year for the typical owner

    • York
    • South Carolina
    • United States

    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$383,056
1.5% less than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,643 a month
2.4% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Data from October 2026

In short

What is housing like in York County today?

With an FHA loan and the minimum down payment, a typical home would cost about $2,858 a month: 38% of the typical household income here. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $122,490 a year; the typical income here is $89,095. The typical home value is 39% more than in South Carolina overall. The typical property tax is $1,740 a year (about 0.48% of home value), higher than in South Carolina.

51% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

Only here

What sets York County apart

  1. Of the 46 counties in South Carolina, York County has the highest typical household income: $89,095.

  2. York County has the highest typical rent in its area: $1,387, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Spartanburg County ($1,084).

  3. York County has the highest typical home value in its area: $361,300, more than any of its 6 neighboring counties; next is Lancaster County ($329,900).

  4. At $361,300, York County ranks 3rd among the 46 counties in South Carolina for the highest typical home value.

  5. From 2020 to 2025, home prices in York County rose 63% on FHFA's index, about the same as in South Carolina (60%).

  6. York County has the 5th highest typical rent of the 46 counties in South Carolina ($1,387).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); FHFA (2025 data).

The homes here

Housing in York County

What homes there are in York County, 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 houses, standing on their own, make up 69% of homes here, against 65% in South Carolina.

Year built

Here half of the homes date from 2000 or later; in South Carolina, from 1992 or later.

In York County, 73% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in South Carolina.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

By price, most homes in York County sit under the FHA limit for this county ($541,287): about 78%.

Monthly rent with utilities

About 76% of rented homes in York County cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for this county ($1,785).

With a mortgage

$1,768 a month

South Carolina: $1,529 a month

Without a mortgage

$459 a month

South Carolina: $448 a month

Owners with a mortgage

68%

South Carolina: 57%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in York County is $1,768 a month, more than in South Carolina ($1,529); without one, $459.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Since 2015–2019, homes in York County gained value faster than in South Carolina: 80% against 60%.

Rents in York County rose faster than in South Carolina: 42% since 2015–2019, against 32%.

The typical household income in York County rose 36%: less than home values (+80%) and rent (+42%).

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureYork CountySouth CarolinaUnited States
Rental vacancy 4.7%8.3%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy 0.6%0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.7%2.0%3.4%
People per household 2.552.442.53
Drive alone 73%76%69%
Carpool 7%9%9%
Public transit 0%0%3%
Walk or bike 2%2%3%
Work from home 18%12%15%
Other means 1%2%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

There is little rental housing open in York County: only 4.7% is empty and offered for rent, against 8.3% in South Carolina.

Much as in South Carolina, 1.7% of households in York County have more than one person per room.

A household in York County has 2.55 people on average, about the same as in South Carolina (2.44).

Many people here do not commute at all: 18% work from home; in South Carolina, 12%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month in York County?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home of $361,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 38% of the typical household income here, which is $89,095 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $122,490 a year.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in York County. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $12,646 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,858

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$354,755
Total interest
$510,410
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $6,101 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,079 a month

  • Tight

    $2,079 to $2,673 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,673 a month

    Your payment · 38%

Compared with the typical household income in York County ($89,095 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,858
Principal & interest$2,403
Property tax$145
Home insurance$151
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$160

You need at least $12,646 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

Buying a home

Buying a home in York County

Here you'll see how prices have changed, how York County compares with South Carolina and the country, and what you'd pay each month with four kinds of loans.

How have home prices changed?

According to the FHFA House Price Index, home prices in York County rose 118% in the 10 years through 2025. FHFA's index follows the price of the same homes over the years.

Period Here South Carolina United States
In 2025 +2.5% +3.6% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +63% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +118% +104% +85%
See each year's change

The index follows the prices of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals on loans bought or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

York County compared with South Carolina and the United States

Home value, rent and household income, side by side. "Typical" is the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • York $361,300
  • South Carolina $259,000
  • United States $332,700
Typical rent a month
  • York $1,387
  • South Carolina $1,180
  • United States $1,413
Typical household income a year
  • York $89,095
  • South Carolina $69,324
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
York compared with South Carolina and the United States
MeasureHereSouth CarolinaU.S.
Residents293,6735,296,225334,922,499
Typical home value$361,300$259,000$332,700
Typical household income$89,095$69,324$80,734
Typical rent$1,387$1,180$1,413
Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms)$1,785$1,391$1,750
Hourly wage to rent a 2-bedroom$34.33$26.75$33.65
Typical property tax$1,740$1,251$3,119
Effective tax rate0.48%0.48%0.94%
Households that own their home75%72%65%
Renters spending 30% or more on rent51%52%51%
FHA limit (1 unit)*$541,287$541,287$541,287

FHA limit: South Carolina shows the median of its counties; the United States, the national floor. Download CSV

Four ways to pay for a typical home in York County

For a typical $361,300 home at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, the county's property tax, an example homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

Loan Monthly payment Down payment Loan amount Rate Mortgage insurance Cash to close Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down $2,858 $12,646 $354,756 7.18% FHA MIP · $160 $23,485 580
Conventional, 5% down $2,792 $18,065 $343,235 7.18% PMI · $172 $28,904 620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,253 $72,260 $289,040 7.18% None $83,099 620*
ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,587 $54,195 $307,105 8.18% None $65,034 Set by the lender
  • 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.

Everything about buying in York County: income, limits and help How much house can I afford? Closing costs

Loan limits

FHA loans in York County use the national floor limit: it isn't a high-cost area. If the loan you need is above these amounts, it doesn't fit FHA or it becomes a "jumbo" loan.

VA loans. If you have full VA entitlement, VA doesn't cap the loan amount. If you've used part of your entitlement, the calculation uses the county limit ($832,750 for one unit). VA loan limits (va.gov)

USDA loans. They're for homes in eligible rural areas and households with incomes within USDA's limit. Check whether the address and your income qualify on the official site. USDA eligibility (usda.gov)

Home type FHA limit Conforming limit
1 unit $541,287 $832,750
2 units $693,050 $1,066,250
3 units $837,700 $1,288,800
4 units $1,041,125 $1,601,750

Source: HUD, 2026 data · Source: FHFA, 2026 data

Taxes and risks

Property tax and flooding in York County

Two costs that change a lot from place to place and that a house payment does include: property tax and, in risk zones, flood insurance.

Property tax

In York County, the typical owner pays $1,740 a year: about 0.48% of the home's value. That is close to the rest of South Carolina and less than the national average.

  • York 0.48%
  • South Carolina 0.48%
  • United States 0.94%

What South Carolina publishes Special 4% assessment ratio for your legal residence (South Carolina General Assembly (South Carolina Code of Laws))

Exemptions and deadlines in South Carolina

Is there a flood risk?

According to FEMA, in York County 0.3% of homes (273) are in a high-risk flood zone. Of those homes, 48% have NFIP flood insurance.

  • A high-risk zone (Special Flood Hazard Area) has a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year. (44 CFR 59.1)
  • If the home is in that zone and the loan comes from a regulated lender, federal law requires flood insurance for the life of the loan, in communities that take part in the NFIP. (42 U.S.C. 4012a)
  • Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. (FEMA, FloodSmart)

Source: FEMA, As of August 3, 2026

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Owning a home here

Owning a home in York County

The natural hazards FEMA measures in York County, a maintenance plan for your climate and what the trades earn in your area.

Risks to your home

FEMA, National Risk Index 1.20.0 (December 2025)

In York County, FEMA rates the natural hazard risk as relatively moderate.

To rate it, FEMA weighs the expected loss with social vulnerability and community resilience.

In York County, FEMA expects natural hazards to cause $99.2 million in losses a year, counting buildings, people and crops.

Of all the hazards, FEMA expects inland flooding to do the most damage to buildings: about $51.3 million a year.

Loss FEMA expects each year to homes and buildings, by hazard
  1. Inland floodingRelatively moderate $51.3 million a year
  2. TornadoRelatively high $5.2 million a year
  3. EarthquakeRelatively low $3 million a year
  4. HurricaneRelatively low $1.1 million a year
  5. WildfireRelatively low $121,147 a year

What it means for your home

The ratings are FEMA's own. FEMA says its data is meant for planning and does not replace a local study. Drought is not shown: FEMA counts its loss in crops only.

National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025), retrieved November 6, 2026

FEMA notice: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).

Climate and upkeep

Department of Energy (PNNL), 2021 IECC zones

York County is climate zone 3A in the home energy code (IECC): humid, between hot and mixed.

The zone's number says how hot or cold it gets; the letter says how humid: A is moist, B is dry and C is marine.

  • Spring

    • Book the air conditioner's check-up before the heat: ENERGY STAR advises checking the cooling system in the spring, because contractors get busy once summer comes. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Clean and repair the roof gutters. EPA

  • Summer

    • Keep indoor humidity below 60 % (ideally between 30 % and 50 %). A humidity meter is inexpensive and sold at hardware stores. EPA
    • Keep the air conditioner's drip pan clean and its drain line flowing: a plugged drain can cause water damage in the house. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Fall

    • Book the heating check-up in the fall. If it runs on gas or oil, the technician should check the connections: faulty ones are a fire hazard. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
    • Look for drafts at windows and doors: close the window on a piece of paper; if it moves back and forth easily, it needs thicker weather stripping. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

  • Winter

    • Get the house ready for the cold with insulation, caulking and weather stripping, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Ready.gov (FEMA)
    • Seal the air ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage with duct mastic or foil tape, then wrap them in insulation. ENERGY STAR (EPA)

All year

  • Check the air filter every month, especially in heavy-use months. If it looks dirty, change it; change it at least every 3 months. ENERGY STAR (EPA)
  • Test the smoke alarms every month and replace their batteries at least once a year. USFA (FEMA)

Each task comes from the official page beside it. The spring air-conditioning and fall heating check-ups are the timing ENERGY STAR advises; the rest is a suggested order.

Climate zones by county, 2021 IECC

What the trades charge here

BLS, wages for May 2025

TradeTypical hourly wage8 in 10 earn between
Electricians$28.41$21.04 and $36.69
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$28.22$20.35 and $36.54
Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics$28.77$19.29 and $38.08
Roofers$23.28$19.18 and $29.67
Carpenters$24.50$18.39 and $31.56
Painters, construction and maintenance$21.59$16.70 and $27.86
Maintenance and repair workers, general$24.52$17.62 and $36.37

An electrician earns about $28.41 an hour in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC area, and a plumber, about $28.22.

These are workers' hourly wages, not the price of a job.

Need help paying for a repair?

Renting

Renting in York County

The typical rent in York County is $1,387 a month. HUD also publishes a “fair market rent” by unit size: it's the one programs like Section 8 use.

51% of renter households in York County spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 23% spend half or more.

Fair market rent by size

To pay the fair market rent without spending more than 30% of income, working full time (40 hours a week).

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Income needed per year
Studio $1,574 $30.27 $62,960
1 bedroom $1,640 $31.54 $65,600
2 bedrooms $1,785 $34.33 $71,400
3 bedrooms $2,179 $41.90 $87,160
4 bedrooms $2,773 $53.33 $110,920

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

Free help in York County

Programs and counseling in York County

We didn't find counseling agencies near this county.

Official programs for the down payment and loans for buyers. Check which ones you might qualify for with your income and your county.

Three generations of a family gather on the porch of their home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

South Carolina down payment programs

  1. Palmetto Home Advantage

    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

    No first-time requirement. Run by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

  2. SC Housing Homebuyer Program

    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

    First-time buyers only. Run by SC Housing (South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority).

    Forgivable Verified November 5, 2026

Which programs do I qualify for? See all South Carolina programs

Help in Spanish in York County

None of the 0 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Public housing agencies

They run public housing and Section 8 vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) in this county.

  • Housing Authority of Rock Hill Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (803) 324-3060
  • Housing Authority of York Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (803) 684-7359

Free legal help

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.

Find legal aid (lsc.gov)

Housing counseling nearby

We didn't find counseling agencies near this county.

Places

Cities in York County

Each city has its own page with prices, rents and help. These are the largest.

See all 6 cities of York County

Nearby counties

Each row compares its typical value, typical rent and FHA limit with York County.

Read next

Guides that help here

We picked them by this county's numbers: what weighs most here is what's worth understanding first.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FHA loan limit in York County in 2026?

York County has an FHA limit of $541,287 for a one-unit home. For 2 units it's $693,050, for 3 it's $837,700 and for 4 it's $1,041,125. It's the national floor limit.

What is the conforming loan limit in York County?

York County has a conforming limit of $832,750 for one-unit conventional loans in 2026. A bigger loan is a “jumbo” loan.

How much does a typical home cost in York County?

The typical home value in York County is $361,300 (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). Across South Carolina it's $259,000.

How much does it cost to rent in York County?

York County has a typical rent of $1,387 a month (Average 2020–2024, U.S. Census). HUD's fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,785 (Fiscal year 2027).

How much do you need to earn to rent a 2-bedroom apartment in York County?

About $34.33 an hour working full time (2,080 hours a year), or $71,400 a year, so the fair market rent of $1,785 stays under 30% of income.

Sources: American Community Survey (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (Fiscal year 2027); Income Limits (Fiscal year 2026); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (As of August 3, 2026); National Risk Index (2025 data); IECC climate zones by county (2021 data); Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2025 data); Census Bureau cartographic boundary files (2024 data).