4% vs. 6%
Primary Home vs. Rental
In South Carolina, how you use a home changes how it's taxed. The gap between 4% and 6% adds up.
Bottom line: your primary home is assessed at 4%; rentals and second homes at 6%. That higher ratio means a bigger tax bill on investment and vacation properties — something to plan for before you buy.
The two ratios
Bottom line: owner-occupied gets the lower rate.
- 4% ratio: owner-occupied primary residences
- 6% ratio: non-owner-occupied — rentals and second homes
Same home value, different use, different tax. The assessment ratio is applied before the millage rate, so the 6% properties end up with a meaningfully higher bill.
What it means for buyers
Bottom line: know your intended use before you run the numbers.
If you're buying a home to live in, you'll want the 4% primary-residence ratio — which typically means applying for it with the county. If you're buying an investment property or a vacation home, budget for the 6% ratio from the start so the taxes don't surprise you.
Planning an investment purchase?
Bottom line: factor the higher taxes into your returns.
For rentals, the 6% ratio is just part of the math — worth building into your projected costs alongside insurance and upkeep. We can help you weigh how the tax picture affects a property's numbers before you commit.
Ratio quick guide
- Living there? Aim for the 4% primary ratio
- Renting it out? Plan for 6%
- Second/vacation home? Also 6%
- Apply for the primary ratio with the county
- Build the right ratio into your budget
This is part of our bigger guide, A Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes in Summerville.
Eyeing an investment property in Summerville?
We'll help you run the real numbers — taxes, ratio, and all — before you make a move.
Run the numbers with us4% vs. 6%
Primary Home vs. Rental
In South Carolina, how you use a home changes how it's taxed. The gap between 4% and 6% adds up.
Bottom line: your primary home is assessed at 4%; rentals and second homes at 6%. That higher ratio means a bigger tax bill on investment and vacation properties — something to plan for before you buy.
The two ratios
Bottom line: owner-occupied gets the lower rate.
- 4% ratio: owner-occupied primary residences
- 6% ratio: non-owner-occupied — rentals and second homes
Same home value, different use, different tax. The assessment ratio is applied before the millage rate, so the 6% properties end up with a meaningfully higher bill.
What it means for buyers
Bottom line: know your intended use before you run the numbers.
If you're buying a home to live in, you'll want the 4% primary-residence ratio — which typically means applying for it with the county. If you're buying an investment property or a vacation home, budget for the 6% ratio from the start so the taxes don't surprise you.
Planning an investment purchase?
Bottom line: factor the higher taxes into your returns.
For rentals, the 6% ratio is just part of the math — worth building into your projected costs alongside insurance and upkeep. We can help you weigh how the tax picture affects a property's numbers before you commit.
Ratio quick guide
- Living there? Aim for the 4% primary ratio
- Renting it out? Plan for 6%
- Second/vacation home? Also 6%
- Apply for the primary ratio with the county
- Build the right ratio into your budget
This is part of our bigger guide, A Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes in Summerville.
Eyeing an investment property in Summerville?
We'll help you run the real numbers — taxes, ratio, and all — before you make a move.
Run the numbers with us