2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in South Carolina — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

534 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 29206 (Columbia, SC) - 59/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

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 59/100
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 59/100 75/100
2 29205 Columbia SC 58/100 75/100
3 29364 Lockhart SC 58/100 87/100
4 29493 Williams SC 55/100 91/100
5 29062 Horatio SC 54/100 73/100
6 29210 Columbia SC 52/100 75/100
7 29204 Columbia SC 51/100 80/100
8 29556 Kingstree SC 50/100 83/100
9 29585 Pawleys Island SC 49/100 68/100
10 29209 Columbia SC 48/100 80/100
11 29440 Georgetown SC 48/100 67/100
12 29520 Cheraw SC 48/100 67/100
13 29628 Calhoun Falls SC 48/100 72/100
14 29212 Columbia SC 47/100 80/100
15 29401 Charleston SC 46/100 75/100
16 29510 Andrews SC 46/100 80/100
17 29526 Conway SC 46/100 71/100
18 29802 Aiken SC 46/100 66/100
19 29804 Aiken SC 46/100 66/100
20 29808 Aiken SC 46/100 66/100
21 29113 Norway SC 44/100 69/100
22 29201 Columbia SC 44/100 85/100
23 29203 Columbia SC 44/100 80/100
24 29527 Conway SC 44/100 76/100
25 29574 Mullins SC 44/100 80/100
26 29031 Carlisle SC 43/100 67/100
27 29429 Awendaw SC 42/100 84/100
28 29464 Mount Pleasant SC 42/100 74/100
29 29543 Fork SC 42/100 73/100
30 29801 Aiken SC 42/100 70/100
31 29040 Dalzell SC 41/100 78/100
32 29138 Saluda SC 41/100 87/100
33 29554 Hemingway SC 41/100 86/100
34 29827 Fairfax SC 41/100 88/100
35 29042 Denmark SC 40/100 91/100
36 29061 Hopkins SC 40/100 86/100
37 29074 Liberty Hill SC 40/100 65/100
38 29223 Columbia SC 40/100 80/100
39 29340 Gaffney SC 40/100 74/100
40 29342 Gaffney SC 40/100 72/100
41 29470 Ravenel SC 40/100 88/100
42 29582 North Myrtle Beach SC 40/100 73/100
43 29724 Lando SC 40/100 53/100
44 29745 York SC 40/100 74/100
45 29353 Jonesville SC 39/100 94/100
46 29577 Myrtle Beach SC 39/100 75/100
47 29581 Nichols SC 39/100 85/100
48 29624 Anderson SC 39/100 82/100
49 29661 Marietta SC 39/100 56/100
50 29403 Charleston SC 38/100 80/100
51 29407 Charleston SC 38/100 75/100
52 29485 Summerville SC 38/100 76/100
53 29634 Clemson SC 38/100 81/100
54 29918 Estill SC 38/100 83/100
55 29002 Ballentine SC 37/100 68/100
56 29160 Swansea SC 37/100 73/100
57 29302 Spartanburg SC 37/100 77/100
58 29395 Jonesville SC 37/100 94/100
59 29405 North Charleston SC 37/100 78/100
60 29426 Adams Run SC 37/100 90/100
61 29438 Edisto Island SC 37/100 78/100
62 29519 Centenary SC 37/100 66/100
63 29546 Gresham SC 37/100 60/100
64 29683 Slater SC 37/100 40/100
65 29805 Aiken SC 37/100 66/100
66 29834 Langley SC 37/100 98/100
67 29902 Beaufort SC 37/100 80/100
68 29928 Hilton Head Island SC 37/100 75/100
69 29130 Ridgeway SC 36/100 81/100
70 29202 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
71 29208 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
72 29211 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
73 29214 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
74 29215 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
75 29216 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
76 29217 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
77 29218 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
78 29219 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
79 29220 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
80 29221 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
81 29222 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
82 29224 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
83 29225 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
84 29226 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
85 29227 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
86 29228 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
87 29230 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
88 29240 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
89 29250 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
90 29260 Columbia SC 36/100 90/100
91 29290 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
92 29292 Columbia SC 36/100 93/100
93 29320 Arcadia SC 36/100 53/100
94 29451 Isle Of Palms SC 36/100 75/100
95 29482 Sullivans Island SC 36/100 80/100
96 29567 Little Rock SC 36/100 73/100
97 29575 Myrtle Beach SC 36/100 80/100
98 29940 Seabrook SC 36/100 84/100
99 29055 Great Falls SC 35/100 78/100
100 29065 Jenkinsville SC 35/100 98/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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