Abbeville County scores 73.7 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top half of U.S. counties. This 47% advantage over the national benchmark reflects solid fundamentals across taxes, housing affordability, and health outcomes.
2 / 5
Above average in South Carolina
Abbeville ranks above the South Carolina state average of 68.2, securing a stronger-than-typical position within its state. This performance places it among the more livable counties in South Carolina's portfolio.
3 / 5
Tax and cost advantages shine
Abbeville excels in tax burden (88.6/100) with an effective rate of just 0.487%, and in housing affordability (88.1/100) with a median home value of $147,200 and rent averaging $634/month. Health outcomes are respectable at 64.8/100, offering residents a stable foundation for family living.
4 / 5
Income growth lags significantly
The county's income score of 17.4/100 stands out as a clear weakness, with a median household income of just $52,112—well below state and national aspirations. Risk and disaster resilience (54.7/100) also merit attention, suggesting some vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks.
5 / 5
Ideal for budget-conscious retirees
Abbeville suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages. The combination of cost savings and modest health care quality makes it attractive to those on fixed or moderate incomes seeking stability in a quieter, rural setting.
Abbeville County scores 73.7 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0—placing it in the top half of U.S. counties. This 47% advantage over the national benchmark reflects solid fundamentals across taxes, housing affordability, and health outcomes.
Above average in South Carolina
Abbeville ranks above the South Carolina state average of 68.2, securing a stronger-than-typical position within its state. This performance places it among the more livable counties in South Carolina's portfolio.
Tax and cost advantages shine
Abbeville excels in tax burden (88.6/100) with an effective rate of just 0.487%, and in housing affordability (88.1/100) with a median home value of $147,200 and rent averaging $634/month. Health outcomes are respectable at 64.8/100, offering residents a stable foundation for family living.
Income growth lags significantly
The county's income score of 17.4/100 stands out as a clear weakness, with a median household income of just $52,112—well below state and national aspirations. Risk and disaster resilience (54.7/100) also merit attention, suggesting some vulnerability to economic or environmental shocks.
Ideal for budget-conscious retirees
Abbeville suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high wages. The combination of cost savings and modest health care quality makes it attractive to those on fixed or moderate incomes seeking stability in a quieter, rural setting.
Score breakdown
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🏛88.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.487%, Abbeville's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.98%, placing it in the bottom quarter of U.S. counties. A homeowner here pays roughly $717 annually on a median-valued home, compared to the national median of $2,690—a savings of nearly $2,000 per year.
Below average across South Carolina
Abbeville ranks among the lower-taxed counties in South Carolina, with an effective rate of 0.487% versus the state average of 0.542%. Residents pay $717 in median property tax, about $222 less than South Carolina's median of $939.
Lower than nearby counties
Abbeville's 0.487% rate beats neighboring Anderson County (0.464%) by a small margin but undercuts Bamberg (0.829%) and Barnwell (0.738%) significantly. The effective tax rates in this region vary widely, suggesting different assessment philosophies across the Piedmont.
Median home taxes in Abbeville
On a median home valued at $147,200, the typical Abbeville homeowner pays $717 annually in property tax. That breaks down to roughly $60 per month—one of the lowest tax burdens in the nation for a comparable property.
Check if you're overassessed
Even in low-tax counties, many homeowners are assessed above market value. If you haven't appealed your assessment in the past few years, it may be worth requesting a review—you could lower an already modest tax bill further.
Abbeville County residents spend just 14.6% of their income on rent, well below the national average of roughly 30%. This makes Abbeville one of South Carolina's most affordable rental markets, where housing costs take up a smaller slice of household budgets than in most American counties.
A bargain among South Carolina counties
Abbeville ranks among the state's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% compared to South Carolina's average of 20.1%. At just $634 a month, median rent here runs $311 below the state average, offering renters genuine financial relief.
Cheaper than nearby Anderson and Aiken
Abbeville's median rent of $634 undercuts neighboring Anderson County by $318 a month and Aiken County by $397 a month. While Anderson and Aiken offer higher median incomes, Abbeville's lower housing costs give renters more breathing room in their budgets.
Housing takes modest bite from paychecks
With a median household income of $52,112, Abbeville renters allocate 14.6% of earnings to rent, while homeowners spend about 13.7% on mortgage costs. Both figures fall below state averages, leaving residents more discretionary income than most South Carolina neighbors.
Considering Abbeville? The numbers work.
If you're relocating and prioritizing affordability, Abbeville delivers: low rent, modest home prices averaging $147,200, and housing costs that don't dominate your budget. Compare these figures to pricier coastal counties like Beaufort to see where your paycheck stretches furthest.
Abbeville County's median household income of $52,112 falls $22,643 short of the national median of $74,755. This 30% gap reflects economic challenges that many rural South Carolina counties face compared to wealthier metropolitan areas nationwide.
Below average for South Carolina
At $52,112, Abbeville's median household income ranks below South Carolina's state average of $57,006. The county underperforms by nearly $5,000 annually per household, placing it in the lower-middle tier of the state's 46 counties.
Stronger than far-south peers
Abbeville earns more than neighboring Bamberg ($43,206) and Barnwell ($41,800) counties, but significantly less than Anderson County ($64,683) to the north. These disparities highlight regional economic variation across the upstate and low-country regions.
Housing remains affordable here
A rent-to-income ratio of 14.6% means Abbeville residents spend just over one-seventh of household income on rent—well below the national affordability threshold of 30%. The median home value of $147,200 is accessible compared to state averages, making homeownership feasible for many families.
Building wealth in Abbeville
With affordable housing and a per capita income of $30,650, Abbeville residents have opportunity to invest savings in homeownership or retirement accounts. Start by setting aside 10-15% of household income toward long-term wealth building—even modest contributions compound significantly over time.
Abbeville's life expectancy edges closer to the nation
At 72.9 years, Abbeville County residents live about 3 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. The county's 18.6% poor or fair health rate tracks with many rural southeastern counties, though nearly 1 in 5 residents report struggling with their health daily.
Slightly healthier than South Carolina average
Abbeville outperforms the state average life expectancy of 72.5 years by 0.4 years, ranking it in the middle tier of South Carolina's 46 counties. The uninsured rate of 11.6% matches the state average exactly, reflecting consistent healthcare access challenges across the region.
Anderson County leads the neighborhood
Abbeville's 72.9-year life expectancy sits between Allendale County (69.5 years) to the south and Anderson County (73.2 years) to the north. Abbeville has stronger primary care access (54 per 100K) than Aiken (34 per 100K) but fewer mental health providers than most neighbors.
Healthcare access meets regional challenges
With 54 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Abbeville has reasonable access to routine care, though 11.6% of residents remain uninsured. The county's 61 mental health providers per 100K suggest growing attention to behavioral health, critical for rural populations.
Explore coverage options today
If you're among Abbeville's uninsured residents, options exist at Healthcare.gov and through South Carolina's Medicaid program. A few minutes on the phone or online could connect you to preventive care, prescription help, and peace of mind.
Abbeville County scores 45.36 on the composite natural disaster risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting well below the national average. This means the county faces fewer combined threats from floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes than most U.S. counties.
Among safest counties in South Carolina
With a composite score of 45.36, Abbeville ranks among the lowest-risk counties in South Carolina, where the state average is 70.75. The county's risk profile is substantially better than the statewide norm across multiple hazard types.
Lower risk than surrounding counties
Abbeville's 45.36 score beats nearby Barnwell (45.83) and significantly outperforms Anderson County (87.18) to the south. Among its peers in the upstate region, Abbeville remains one of the safer communities for natural disaster exposure.
Earthquakes and tornadoes pose most concern
Earthquakes score highest at 74.43, followed closely by tornado risk at 66.25—both substantially above the county's overall risk level. Flooding and wildfire threats remain more moderate at 37.63 and 39.82 respectively, offering some relief in those hazard categories.
Earthquake and storm coverage recommended
Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquake damage, so consider a separate earthquake policy given the county's 74.43 rating. Review your tornado and wind coverage to ensure adequate protection, particularly if you live in a mobile home or older structure.