Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Columbia, South Carolina
Median Columbia, South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.61%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%, and lower than the South Carolina state median of 0.66%.
Median Columbia, South Carolina home value: $170,000
Median annual Columbia, South Carolina tax bill: $1,092, $1,308 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Lexington calculated?
Property taxes in Columbia, South Carolina are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding Columbia's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Regardless of where you live in Columbia, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.61%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,037
$962
How Does the Columbia Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this Columbia property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies Columbia's median effective tax rate of 0.61% — based on actual property records in Lexington County — to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the local appraisal district uses to calculate your bill, which reflects any exemptions you hold and is typically lower than your home's market value. Our calculator applies Columbia's median effective rate across all local levies, providing a more accurate estimate than applying a single county millage rate.
Your bill may vary by ZIP code within Columbia: rates range from $930.00 in 29210 to $1,189.00 in 29212, primarily due to differences in school district levies and local assessment districts.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore ZIP code-level tax rate trends across Columbia.
About Columbia Property Taxes
About Property Taxes in Columbia, Lexington, SC
Columbia’s median effective property tax rate of 0.61% is lower than the 0.66% South Carolina state median and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Lexington County base levy combined with local school district levies and special assessment districts that vary by subdivision throughout the city.
Property tax rates are not uniform across Columbia. Homeowners in the 29210 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 0.61%, while those in 29212 pay 0.61%. This spread reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Lexington County. Understanding which part of Columbia you live in can make a meaningful difference to your annual tax bill.
Columbia homeowners who believe their assessed value is too high can file a formal appeal with the local Tax Assessor before the January 15, 2027 deadline each year.
If your estimated bill above seems higher than expected, Ownwell can review your assessment and protest on your behalf. You only pay if we save you money.
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
As noted earlier, local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state.
Why? Because annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate.
While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Columbia's effective property tax rate to other cities in South Carolina and the median property tax rates in South Carolina and the U.S.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Columbia Tax Rate
0.61%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Lexington County Tax Rate
0.60%
Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29210 | 0.34% | 0.40% | 0.61% | 0.61% | 2.60% |
| 29212 | 0.36% | 0.50% | 0.61% | 0.61% | 2.60% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
When examining property taxes in Columbia, South Carolina, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial.
The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. Lexington County estimates the market value for tax purposes.
The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices:
In Lexington County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May.
Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. The median home price in Columbia is $170,000, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400 and national median property tax rate of 1.02%. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with ZIP code 29212 posting the highest median home price at $182,116.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$21,160
$158,080
$295,000
Median Columbia Market Value
$170,000
Median Lexington County Market Value
$157,196
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29210 | $87,377 | $131,509 | $154,129 | $184,958 | $225,000 |
| 29212 | $107,603 | $135,448 | $182,116 | $250,000 | $352,000 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
Property tax bills in Columbia are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing authorities apply the tax rate to that assessed value, and the final bill reflects the combination of the home’s value, the applicable millage rates, and any exemptions or local levies. Because assessments can change over time, a homeowner’s tax bill can rise or fall even if the property itself has not changed much.
For a home with a median price of $170,000, the tax bill can vary widely across the city. The 25th percentile tax bill is $747, while the 75th percentile is $1,795 and the 90th percentile is $3,527. That range shows how location, neighborhood-level assessments, and taxing jurisdictions can affect what homeowners owe.
Across Columbia, the highest median tax bill is $1,189 in ZIP code 29212, while the lowest median tax bill is $930 in ZIP code 29210. For homeowners, even small changes in assessed value or exemptions can have a meaningful impact on annual housing costs.
Median Columbia Tax Bill
$1,092
Median Lexington County Tax Bill
$1,084
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Lexington County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29210 | $463 | $628 | $930 | $1,283 | $3,386 |
| 29212 | $520 | $788 | $1,189 | $1,946 | $3,625 |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | January 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Lexington Tax Assessor | |
| Website | www.lex-co.com |