Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Columbia, South Carolina
Median Columbia, South Carolina effective property tax rate: 0.72%, 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: $199,200
Median annual Columbia, South Carolina tax bill: $1,610, lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Richland 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, Richland County, South Carolina Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.72%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,434
$1,331
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 0.72% — based on actual property records in Richland 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 the lowest median tax bill of $921.00 in 29203 to the highest median tax bill of $2,346.00 in 29205, 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, Richland, South Carolina
Columbia’s median effective property tax rate of 0.72% is higher than the South Carolina state median of 0.66% and lower than the national median of 1.02%. This rate reflects the Richland 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 29201 ZIP code carry a median effective rate of 1.22%, while those in 29204 pay 0.62%. This spread — 0.60 percentage points across the same city — reflects how school district boundaries and local assessment districts are drawn across Richland 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, Richland 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
0.72%
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 Richland County Tax Rate
0.72%
Median Effective South Carolina Tax Rate
0.66%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29201 | 0.45% | 0.57% | 1.22% | 2.20% | 2.74% |
| 29203 | 0.29% | 0.45% | 0.77% | 1.63% | 2.35% |
| 29204 | 0.29% | 0.43% | 0.62% | 1.47% | 2.17% |
| 29205 | 0.43% | 0.53% | 0.68% | 1.85% | 2.49% |
| 29206 | 0.44% | 0.53% | 0.64% | 0.81% | 2.30% |
| 29209 | 0.36% | 0.49% | 0.62% | 1.20% | 2.22% |
| 29210 | 0.42% | 0.54% | 0.75% | 1.87% | 2.53% |
| 29212 | 0.41% | 0.50% | 0.62% | 0.81% | 2.21% |
| 29223 | 0.41% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 1.18% | 2.57% |
| 29229 | 0.29% | 0.65% | 0.75% | 0.94% | 2.46% |
| 29207 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Richland 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. The Richland County appraisal district 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 Richland County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They'll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of the month when notices are sent.
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. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Columbia.
For example, the median home price in Columbia is $199,200, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. 29206 has the highest median home price at $332,750.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
Source: Ownwell
$62,600
$228,400
$394,200
Median Columbia Market Value
$199,200
Median Richland County Market Value
$203,700
Median South Carolina Market Value
$188,850
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29201 | $87,090 | $154,750 | $226,000 | $297,100 | $408,240 |
| 29203 | $52,500 | $78,000 | $112,170 | $156,400 | $218,300 |
| 29204 | $78,500 | $111,400 | $170,000 | $255,400 | $366,400 |
| 29205 | $105,600 | $169,300 | $276,570 | $417,600 | $593,200 |
| 29206 | $113,500 | $240,000 | $332,750 | $475,500 | $693,156 |
| 29209 | $107,200 | $145,900 | $198,200 | $255,720 | $405,000 |
| 29210 | $53,300 | $92,700 | $142,600 | $174,500 | $207,970 |
| 29212 | $128,484 | $152,500 | $212,000 | $273,500 | $341,580 |
| 29223 | $99,730 | $143,725 | $187,500 | $259,075 | $392,180 |
| 29229 | $160,700 | $195,000 | $237,600 | $289,200 | $356,540 |
| 29207 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
Property tax bills in Columbia are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price. Local tax rates are applied to that assessed value to determine the amount a homeowner owes each year. Because assessments and rates can vary, two homes with similar market values may still have different tax bills.
In Columbia, the median home price is $199,200, and property tax bills can differ widely across neighborhoods. The lowest median tax bill is $921.00 in ZIP code 29203, while the highest median tax bill is $2,346.00 in ZIP code 29205. For many homeowners, the typical bill falls between $947 at the 25th percentile and $2,737 at the 75th percentile, with the 90th percentile reaching $4,753.
These differences can have a major impact on monthly housing costs and long-term affordability. Homeowners with higher assessed values or higher local tax rates may face larger bills, making it important to understand how property taxes are calculated in Richland County.
Median Columbia Tax Bill
$1,610
Median Richland County Tax Bill
$1,651
Median South Carolina Tax Bill
$1,227
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
| Zip | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29201 | $753 | $1,284 | $2,207 | $4,247 | $6,420 |
| 29203 | $291 | $483 | $921 | $1,573 | $2,495 |
| 29204 | $386 | $695 | $1,271 | $2,237 | $3,854 |
| 29205 | $840 | $1,382 | $2,346 | $3,924 | $6,434 |
| 29206 | $966 | $1,550 | $2,329 | $3,877 | $6,265 |
| 29209 | $493 | $881 | $1,349 | $2,476 | $4,364 |
| 29210 | $386 | $731 | $1,072 | $1,845 | $3,211 |
| 29212 | $630 | $1,047 | $1,437 | $2,122 | $3,557 |
| 29223 | $467 | $1,040 | $1,687 | $2,931 | $4,647 |
| 29229 | $386 | $1,325 | $1,831 | $2,667 | $5,114 |
| 29207 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | January 15 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| Richland Tax Assessor | |
| Website | property.spatialest.com |