10 reasons we think buying land in South Carolina makes sense in 2026

South Carolina’s mix of coastline, Midlands lakes, and pine forests makes it one of the Southeast’s most versatile places to buy land—whether you want a homesite, a recreational tract, or a long-term investment. In 2025, South Carolina’s farm real estate value held at $3,900 per acre, according to the USDA NASS 2025 Farm Real Estate Value by State Map. For context, U.S. farm real estate averaged $4,350 per acre in 2025, up $180 per acre (4.3%) from 2024, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Land Values 2025 Summary.

That broader momentum matters locally. Farm real estate values in the Southeast (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina) increased 29.7% over a multi-year period ending in 2025, according to the Van Trump Report on USDA Land Values 2025. And South Carolina’s land fundamentals run deep: two-thirds of the state’s land area is covered with forests (2023 data relevant to today’s timberland context), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) South Carolina Profile.

10 Reasons to Buy Land in South Carolina

1. Fast-Growing Economy and Infrastructure

South Carolina’s economy stays diverse and development-oriented, with growth anchored by advanced manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and tech-adjacent industries. Automotive is a cornerstone: the sector supports over 30,000 jobs statewide, according to South Carolina Commerce (Automotive). That kind of job density often translates into rising demand for housing, commercial sites, and buildable land—especially along major corridors and near expanding metro areas.

2. A Deep Aerospace Footprint

Beyond autos, South Carolina has built a meaningful aerospace cluster with over 300 aerospace companies operating in the state, according to South Carolina Aerospace. Aerospace growth supports higher-wage employment and supplier ecosystems—two factors that can lift land demand for industrial sites, workforce housing, and mixed-use development.

3. Land Values With Regional Tailwinds

If you’re evaluating land as an investment, regional price direction matters. The Southeast (AL, FL, GA, SC) posted a 29.7% increase in farm real estate values over a multi-year period ending in 2025, according to the Van Trump Report on USDA Land Values 2025. The same analysis notes the region’s leadership in recent gains, including +5.1% in the Appalachian region tied to South Carolina’s broader market influence, per the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 via Van Trump Report.

4. Strong Agricultural Baselines (With National Context)

South Carolina remains competitively priced compared with national benchmarks. In 2025, South Carolina farm real estate averaged $3,900 per acre, according to the USDA NASS 2025 Farm Real Estate Value by State Map. Nationally, U.S. farm real estate averaged $4,350 per acre in 2025, up 4.3% year over year, according to the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. That spread can matter for buyers looking to enter a growing region without paying top-of-market prices.

5. Productive Cropland Economics

For buyers focused on farming, leasing, or long-term appreciation tied to production capacity, cropland benchmarks offer useful signals. U.S. cropland values averaged $5,830 per acre in 2025, up $260 per acre from 2024, according to the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary. Those gains reflect persistent demand for productive acres—and they can influence how investors underwrite farmland opportunities throughout the Southeast.

6. Pastureland Demand and Flexibility

South Carolina buyers often want flexible acreage—usable for small-scale livestock, hay, recreation, or a homesite with room to expand. In 2025, U.S. pasture value averaged $1,920 per acre, up $90 per acre (4.9%) from 2024, according to the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 (Highlights). Pasture benchmarks help land buyers gauge value even when they aren’t purchasing row-crop ground.

7. Income Potential Through Cash Rent Trends

If you plan to lease land—especially cropland—cash rent trends provide real-world insight into income potential. U.S. cash rent for cropland reached a record $161 per acre in 2025, up 0.6%, according to American Farm Bureau Federation Market Intel (USDA 2025 Data). While local rents vary by soil, access, and use, national records signal continued competition for workable acres.

8. Timberland and Forest-Backed Opportunity

South Carolina’s land market isn’t just about farms and homesites—it’s also about forests. Two-thirds of South Carolina’s land area is covered with forests, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) South Carolina Profile. That scale supports timberland ownership strategies, recreation-driven purchases (hunting, trails, privacy), and longer-term land stewardship goals.

9. Tourism, Coastal Demand, and Lifestyle Value

South Carolina’s coast and historic towns continue to attract visitors and new residents, which keeps demand strong for land near beaches, waterways, and cultural hubs. Buyers pursue everything from short-term rental development and second-home builds to private recreational tracts that still sit within reach of dining, golf, and year-round events.

10. A Retirement-Friendly Migration Story

South Carolina remains a compelling retirement and “semi-retirement” destination for buyers seeking warmer weather, outdoor access, and a lower-cost lifestyle than many coastal markets up north. That steady inbound interest supports long-term demand for buildable lots, small acreage homesites, and land near healthcare and amenities—especially in growing metro areas and established coastal communities.

Final Thoughts

Buying land in South Carolina blends lifestyle appeal with real economic signals. The state’s $3,900 per-acre farm real estate value in 2025 (USDA NASS 2025 Farm Real Estate Value by State Map) sits within a national and regional environment where land values continue to rise—U.S. farm real estate averaged $4,350 per acre in 2025 (USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary) and the Southeast posted a 29.7% multi-year increase ending in 2025 (Van Trump Report on USDA Land Values 2025). Add in a workforce engine—like 30,000+ automotive jobs (South Carolina Commerce) and 300+ aerospace companies (South Carolina Aerospace)—plus a landscape where two-thirds of the land is forested (EIA South Carolina Profile), and you get a state where land can serve both personal and investment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What parts of South Carolina are most popular for buying land?

Coastal markets near Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Beaufort remain popular for lifestyle and tourism-driven demand. Inland, Greenville-Spartanburg and the Columbia region attract buyers focused on job access, growth, and buildable acreage. Lake regions and forested tracts appeal to buyers seeking recreation and privacy.

Does it make more sense financially to buy land or an existing property?

Vacant land can offer upside in growth corridors, while existing properties may provide immediate cash flow. If you’re underwriting agricultural potential, national indicators can help frame expectations—U.S. cropland averaged $5,830 per acre in 2025 (USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Summary) and cropland cash rent hit $161 per acre (American Farm Bureau Federation Market Intel).

What factors should I research before purchasing land in South Carolina?

Review zoning, road access, utilities, easements, soil and perc suitability, flood risk, wetlands, and intended use (residential, agricultural, timber, or commercial). For farm and lease strategies, compare benchmarks like U.S. pasture values of $1,920 per acre in 2025 (USDA NASS Land Values 2025 Highlights) and regional appreciation trends like the Southeast’s 29.7% multi-year increase ending 2025 (Van Trump Report).

Can out-of-state buyers purchase South Carolina land without difficulty?

Yes. Out-of-state buyers can typically purchase South Carolina property without special restrictions. Many transactions can be handled remotely through digital documents, title coordination, and online communication with local professionals.

Besides financial returns, what lifestyle perks come with owning land in South Carolina?

Landowners gain access to beaches, lakes, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, golf, and historic towns—often within a single day’s drive. With extensive forests statewide and abundant waterways, many buyers value South Carolina land as much for privacy and recreation as for long-term appreciation.