Out of 534 ZIP codes with data in South Carolina, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All South Carolina Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 534 |
| Highest value | 58/100 |
| Median value | 26/100 |
| State | South Carolina |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29206 | Columbia | SC | 58/100 | 75/100 |
| 2 | 29205 | Columbia | SC | 57/100 | 75/100 |
| 3 | 29364 | Lockhart | SC | 57/100 | 87/100 |
| 4 | 29493 | Williams | SC | 55/100 | 91/100 |
| 5 | 29062 | Horatio | SC | 53/100 | 73/100 |
| 6 | 29210 | Columbia | SC | 51/100 | 75/100 |
| 7 | 29204 | Columbia | SC | 50/100 | 80/100 |
| 8 | 29556 | Kingstree | SC | 50/100 | 83/100 |
| 9 | 29585 | Pawleys Island | SC | 49/100 | 68/100 |
| 10 | 29440 | Georgetown | SC | 48/100 | 67/100 |
| 11 | 29628 | Calhoun Falls | SC | 48/100 | 72/100 |
| 12 | 29209 | Columbia | SC | 47/100 | 80/100 |
| 13 | 29520 | Cheraw | SC | 47/100 | 67/100 |
| 14 | 29401 | Charleston | SC | 46/100 | 75/100 |
| 15 | 29510 | Andrews | SC | 46/100 | 80/100 |
| 16 | 29526 | Conway | SC | 46/100 | 71/100 |
| 17 | 29802 | Aiken | SC | 46/100 | 66/100 |
| 18 | 29804 | Aiken | SC | 46/100 | 66/100 |
| 19 | 29808 | Aiken | SC | 46/100 | 66/100 |
| 20 | 29212 | Columbia | SC | 45/100 | 80/100 |
| 21 | 29113 | Norway | SC | 44/100 | 69/100 |
| 22 | 29527 | Conway | SC | 44/100 | 76/100 |
| 23 | 29031 | Carlisle | SC | 43/100 | 67/100 |
| 24 | 29201 | Columbia | SC | 43/100 | 85/100 |
| 25 | 29203 | Columbia | SC | 43/100 | 80/100 |
| 26 | 29574 | Mullins | SC | 43/100 | 80/100 |
| 27 | 29464 | Mount Pleasant | SC | 42/100 | 74/100 |
| 28 | 29801 | Aiken | SC | 42/100 | 70/100 |
| 29 | 29138 | Saluda | SC | 41/100 | 87/100 |
| 30 | 29429 | Awendaw | SC | 41/100 | 84/100 |
| 31 | 29543 | Fork | SC | 41/100 | 73/100 |
| 32 | 29554 | Hemingway | SC | 41/100 | 86/100 |
| 33 | 29827 | Fairfax | SC | 41/100 | 88/100 |
| 34 | 29042 | Denmark | SC | 40/100 | 91/100 |
| 35 | 29340 | Gaffney | SC | 40/100 | 74/100 |
| 36 | 29342 | Gaffney | SC | 40/100 | 72/100 |
| 37 | 29470 | Ravenel | SC | 40/100 | 88/100 |
| 38 | 29582 | North Myrtle Beach | SC | 40/100 | 73/100 |
| 39 | 29040 | Dalzell | SC | 39/100 | 78/100 |
| 40 | 29061 | Hopkins | SC | 39/100 | 86/100 |
| 41 | 29074 | Liberty Hill | SC | 39/100 | 65/100 |
| 42 | 29577 | Myrtle Beach | SC | 39/100 | 75/100 |
| 43 | 29581 | Nichols | SC | 39/100 | 85/100 |
| 44 | 29624 | Anderson | SC | 39/100 | 82/100 |
| 45 | 29661 | Marietta | SC | 39/100 | 56/100 |
| 46 | 29223 | Columbia | SC | 38/100 | 80/100 |
| 47 | 29353 | Jonesville | SC | 38/100 | 94/100 |
| 48 | 29403 | Charleston | SC | 38/100 | 80/100 |
| 49 | 29407 | Charleston | SC | 38/100 | 75/100 |
| 50 | 29485 | Summerville | SC | 38/100 | 76/100 |
| 51 | 29634 | Clemson | SC | 38/100 | 81/100 |
| 52 | 29724 | Lando | SC | 38/100 | 53/100 |
| 53 | 29745 | York | SC | 38/100 | 74/100 |
| 54 | 29918 | Estill | SC | 38/100 | 83/100 |
| 55 | 29302 | Spartanburg | SC | 37/100 | 77/100 |
| 56 | 29405 | North Charleston | SC | 37/100 | 78/100 |
| 57 | 29438 | Edisto Island | SC | 37/100 | 78/100 |
| 58 | 29546 | Gresham | SC | 37/100 | 60/100 |
| 59 | 29683 | Slater | SC | 37/100 | 40/100 |
| 60 | 29805 | Aiken | SC | 37/100 | 66/100 |
| 61 | 29834 | Langley | SC | 37/100 | 98/100 |
| 62 | 29902 | Beaufort | SC | 37/100 | 80/100 |
| 63 | 29395 | Jonesville | SC | 36/100 | 94/100 |
| 64 | 29426 | Adams Run | SC | 36/100 | 90/100 |
| 65 | 29482 | Sullivans Island | SC | 36/100 | 80/100 |
| 66 | 29519 | Centenary | SC | 36/100 | 66/100 |
| 67 | 29567 | Little Rock | SC | 36/100 | 73/100 |
| 68 | 29575 | Myrtle Beach | SC | 36/100 | 80/100 |
| 69 | 29928 | Hilton Head Island | SC | 36/100 | 75/100 |
| 70 | 29940 | Seabrook | SC | 36/100 | 84/100 |
| 71 | 29002 | Ballentine | SC | 35/100 | 68/100 |
| 72 | 29055 | Great Falls | SC | 35/100 | 78/100 |
| 73 | 29130 | Ridgeway | SC | 35/100 | 81/100 |
| 74 | 29160 | Swansea | SC | 35/100 | 73/100 |
| 75 | 29320 | Arcadia | SC | 35/100 | 53/100 |
| 76 | 29341 | Gaffney | SC | 35/100 | 74/100 |
| 77 | 29346 | Glendale | SC | 35/100 | 53/100 |
| 78 | 29451 | Isle Of Palms | SC | 35/100 | 75/100 |
| 79 | 29458 | Mc Clellanville | SC | 35/100 | 60/100 |
| 80 | 29569 | Loris | SC | 35/100 | 83/100 |
| 81 | 29572 | Myrtle Beach | SC | 35/100 | 80/100 |
| 82 | 29614 | Greenville | SC | 35/100 | 55/100 |
| 83 | 29620 | Abbeville | SC | 35/100 | 78/100 |
| 84 | 29627 | Belton | SC | 35/100 | 65/100 |
| 85 | 29662 | Mauldin | SC | 35/100 | 40/100 |
| 86 | 29671 | Pickens | SC | 35/100 | 79/100 |
| 87 | 29803 | Aiken | SC | 35/100 | 70/100 |
| 88 | 29843 | Olar | SC | 35/100 | 96/100 |
| 89 | 29920 | Saint Helena Island | SC | 35/100 | 50/100 |
| 90 | 29065 | Jenkinsville | SC | 34/100 | 98/100 |
| 91 | 29108 | Newberry | SC | 34/100 | 89/100 |
| 92 | 29202 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 90/100 |
| 93 | 29208 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 93/100 |
| 94 | 29211 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 93/100 |
| 95 | 29214 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 90/100 |
| 96 | 29215 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 90/100 |
| 97 | 29216 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 93/100 |
| 98 | 29217 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 93/100 |
| 99 | 29218 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 93/100 |
| 100 | 29219 | Columbia | SC | 34/100 | 93/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in South Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in South Carolina
- Lowest Home Safety Scores in South Carolina
- Safest ZIP Codes in South Carolina — Highest Safety Scores
- ZIP Codes with Highest Flood Risk in South Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Highest Energy Costs in South Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in South Carolina
- ZIP Codes with PFAS Detections in South Carolina
- Least Reliable Water Systems in South Carolina
- Environmental Justice Concern Areas in South Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in South Carolina
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in South Carolina
- ZIP Codes with Worst Wildfire Smoke Risk in South Carolina
- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke in South Carolina
- All Rankings