Study: Midlands communities among state’s healthiest housing markets

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Midlands communities Cayce, Forest Acres and Oak Grove made the top 10 in state rankings in SmartAsset’s fourth annual Healthiest Housing Markets study.

The study by the financial technology company measured market health by home values, ease of sale, costs associated with homeownership and how long residents live in their homes.

Residents in Oak Grove, which ranked second in the state, live in their homes an average of 16.1 years. Homes spend an average of 49.2 days on the market, home costs represent 19.7% of average income and an average of 8.1% have negative equity.

In Cayce, which ranked sixth, residents lived in their homes an average of 15.4 years and spent 19.3% of their incomes on home costs. Homes spent an average of 57.4 days on the market, and 10.2% had negative equity.

Forest Acres ranked 10th, with residents living an average of 15.6 years in their homes, of which 10.5% had negative equity. Residents spent 19.7% of their incomes on their homes and waited 103 days for them to sell.

Taylors, in Greenville County, topped the state list. Residents there spent an average of 15 years in their homes, spending 18.8% of their incomes on home costs. An average of 5.5% had negative equity and homes spent an average of 151.4 days on the market.

Also in the Upstate, Fountain Inn ranked third on the list. Residents there lived in their homes an average of 15.2 years and spent 17.8% of their income on home costs. Homes spent an average of 175.6 days on the market, and 7.3% had negative equity. 

In the Lowcountry, Ladson ranked fourth on the list, Hanahan ranked eighth and Goose Creek ranked ninth. Residents in Ladson lived in their homes an average of 13.5 years and spent 18.3% of their income on home costs. Homes spent an average of 169.1 days on the market, and 9% had negative equity.

Hanahan residents spent an average of 12.2 years in their home and spent 21.9% of their income on home costs. Homes spent an average of 69 days on the market, and 9.5% had negative equity.

Residents in Goose Creek lived in their homes an average 12 years and spent 20.7% of their income on home costs. Homes spent an average of 126.1 days on the market, and 8.4% had negative equity.

Rounding out the top 10 were Rock Hill, ranking fifth, and North Augusta, at No. 7.

Rock Hill residents spent an average of 11.6 years in their homes and spent 21.1% of their income on home costs. Homes spent an average of 73.7 days on the market, and 5.9% had negative equity.

Residents lived in their homes in North Augusta an average of 13.8 years and waited 92.8 days for them to sell. An average of 18.6% of income went toward home costs, and 10.8% had negative equity.