Here are the 5 places in the Columbia SC area where homes are most affordable

Patrick McCreless
·3 min read
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Columbia has been hot for a while now and not just because of the weather.

Often referred to as ‘famously hot’ because of the high summer temperatures every year, Columbia has also been hot lately in terms of attracting new residents. For instance, Columbia recently ranked second among all U.S. cities that gained the most new 18 to 24 year olds or Generation Z. The 2021 Census data, compiled in a report by Today’s Homeowner, shows that Columbia had a net gain of 11,640 Gen Z residents.

And more broadly, according to more recent, preliminary Census data, South Carolina was the third fastest-growing state in 2022.

However, more people drives demand for housing and Columbia has not been immune to this fact. Sales prices for homes in the Columbia area have skyrocketed in recent years.

The greater Columbia area has a median sales price of $250,000 for 2023 as of February — up 2% from $245,000 for the same period last year, South Carolina Realtors statistics show.

But fear not, for there are places in the Columbia area that offer more affordable housing.

Redfin, a residential real estate brokerage website, has used its latest March housing market data to compile a list of the most affordable places in the Columbia area to buy a home. Affordability is based on whether the city or unincorporated area’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Columbia and under a 25-minute drive from downtown Columbia.

Here are the five most affordable places in the Columbia area.

5. Red Bank

The unincorporated community of Red Bank is about a 25-minute drive from Columbia proper. It has a median home price of $239,750 and $155 average sale price per square foot.

“With 10,900 people living in this affordable town, Red Bank is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Columbia without paying the premium for a home in the city,” Redfin states.

4. West Columbia

West Columbia’s listed median home price is $215,000 has an average sale price of $153 per square foot. With a population around 17,400, the city boats plenty of things to do and places to eat. Enjoy the riverfront views at West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater and then stop by the Riverbanks Botanical Garden. Also, downtown Columbia is only an 8-minute drive away.

3. Seven Oaks

Drive 15 minutes outside of Columbia to find Seven Oaks. The area has a population of just under 15,000 and several places to check out nearby, such as Seven Oaks Park and the Environmental Center at Saluda Shoals Park. Seven Oaks has a listed median home price of $191,000 and an average sales price of $130 per square foot.

2. Woodfield

Woodfield is a suburb of Columbia with a population of around 9,200 people. It’s median home price is $160,000 and it has an average sale price of $136 per square foot. And at just a 20 minute drive from Columbia, you can easily visit places like Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Or, if boating and fishing are your hobbies, just take another quick drive to Lake Murray.

1. Dentsville

With a median home price of $158,950 and an average sale price of $101 per square foot, Denstville tops Redfin’s list of most affordable places around Columbia. The Columbia suburb with more than 14,000 people is a 15-minute drive from the city. It’s also a short drive from Sesquicentennial State Park, where there’s plenty of hiking and camping options available.