Taxes & Insurance in Pawleys Island
Pawleys Island sits in Georgetown County, carrying a real, comparatively lower sales-tax floor than Horry County, South Carolina's current two-bracket income tax, and real barrier-island homeowners-insurance exposure.
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Learn moreGeorgetown County's lower sales-tax floor
Georgetown County's minimum combined sales tax rate is cited at 7% (South Carolina's 6% state rate plus a Georgetown County rate near the floor) -- lower than Horry County's 8% minimum documented elsewhere in this dataset's Grand Strand batch, though specific municipalities or special districts may add local option taxes.
Property tax: a real, favorable owner-occupied assessment ratio
South Carolina assesses owner-occupied primary residences at 4% of value versus 6% for non-owner-occupied property -- a real, meaningful distinction for a market like Pawleys Island where second homes and rental investment properties are common. Georgetown County's millage varies by specific district, cited in a broad 200-280 mill range; a Pawleys Island-specific rate was not independently confirmed this session.
South Carolina's two-bracket income tax
Act 110 (signed March 30, 2026) set South Carolina's income tax at 1.99% on the first $30,000 of SC taxable income and 5.21% above that, effective tax year 2026. Social Security is fully exempt; the age-65 and retirement-income deductions are coordinated for a combined $15,000 maximum.
Real barrier-island homeowners insurance exposure
As a genuine barrier island with a documented direct-hit hurricane history (Hazel 1954, Hugo 1989), Pawleys Island carries real, elevated homeowners and flood insurance cost exposure consistent with South Carolina's above-average statewide insurance costs -- confirm current flood-zone status and premium estimates directly, especially for oceanfront or creek-front property.
Key takeaways
- Georgetown County's 7% minimum combined sales tax runs lower than Horry County's 8% documented elsewhere in this batch.
- South Carolina's 4% owner-occupied vs. 6% non-owner-occupied property assessment ratio is a real, meaningful difference here given the prevalence of second homes.
- South Carolina's two-bracket income tax (2026): 1.99% under $30,000 taxable income, 5.21% above.
- Real, elevated barrier-island homeowners and flood insurance exposure applies given documented direct-hit hurricane history -- confirm current premiums and flood-zone status directly.
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