2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in South Carolina — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

534 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 29206 (Columbia, SC) - 58/100
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 58/100
Median value 27/100
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 29364 Lockhart SC 58/100 87/100
3 29205 Columbia SC 57/100 75/100
4 29493 Williams SC 55/100 91/100
5 29204 Columbia SC 51/100 80/100
6 29210 Columbia SC 51/100 75/100
7 29556 Kingstree SC 50/100 83/100
8 29585 Pawleys Island SC 49/100 68/100
9 29209 Columbia SC 48/100 80/100
10 29440 Georgetown SC 48/100 67/100
11 29520 Cheraw SC 48/100 67/100
12 29628 Calhoun Falls SC 48/100 72/100
13 29212 Columbia SC 46/100 80/100
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 29113 Norway SC 44/100 69/100
18 29201 Columbia SC 44/100 85/100
19 29203 Columbia SC 44/100 80/100
20 29527 Conway SC 44/100 76/100
21 29574 Mullins SC 44/100 80/100
22 29031 Carlisle SC 43/100 67/100
23 29464 Mount Pleasant SC 43/100 74/100
24 29801 Aiken SC 43/100 70/100
25 29429 Awendaw SC 42/100 84/100
26 29543 Fork SC 42/100 73/100
27 29138 Saluda SC 41/100 87/100
28 29340 Gaffney SC 41/100 74/100
29 29470 Ravenel SC 41/100 88/100
30 29554 Hemingway SC 41/100 86/100
31 29827 Fairfax SC 41/100 88/100
32 29040 Dalzell SC 40/100 78/100
33 29042 Denmark SC 40/100 91/100
34 29353 Jonesville SC 40/100 94/100
35 29582 North Myrtle Beach SC 40/100 73/100
36 29661 Marietta SC 40/100 56/100
37 29061 Hopkins SC 39/100 86/100
38 29074 Liberty Hill SC 39/100 65/100
39 29223 Columbia SC 39/100 80/100
40 29403 Charleston SC 39/100 80/100
41 29407 Charleston SC 39/100 75/100
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 29745 York SC 39/100 74/100
46 29805 Aiken SC 39/100 66/100
47 29302 Spartanburg SC 38/100 77/100
48 29405 North Charleston SC 38/100 78/100
49 29485 Summerville SC 38/100 76/100
50 29634 Clemson SC 38/100 81/100
51 29683 Slater SC 38/100 40/100
52 29834 Langley SC 38/100 98/100
53 29918 Estill SC 38/100 83/100
54 29426 Adams Run SC 37/100 90/100
55 29438 Edisto Island SC 37/100 78/100
56 29482 Sullivans Island SC 37/100 80/100
57 29519 Centenary SC 37/100 66/100
58 29546 Gresham SC 37/100 60/100
59 29803 Aiken SC 37/100 70/100
60 29902 Beaufort SC 37/100 80/100
61 29928 Hilton Head Island SC 37/100 75/100
62 29055 Great Falls SC 36/100 78/100
63 29160 Swansea SC 36/100 73/100
64 29320 Arcadia SC 36/100 53/100
65 29341 Gaffney SC 36/100 74/100
66 29346 Glendale SC 36/100 53/100
67 29451 Isle Of Palms SC 36/100 75/100
68 29567 Little Rock SC 36/100 73/100
69 29575 Myrtle Beach SC 36/100 80/100
70 29614 Greenville SC 36/100 55/100
71 29662 Mauldin SC 36/100 40/100
72 29671 Pickens SC 36/100 79/100
73 29940 Seabrook SC 36/100 84/100
74 29065 Jenkinsville SC 35/100 98/100
75 29130 Ridgeway SC 35/100 81/100
76 29208 Columbia SC 35/100 93/100
77 29225 Columbia SC 35/100 93/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. 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: 2026-04-13.

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 service-line indicators and system-level action-level 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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