North Carolina vs South Carolina: mortgage lending
In 2023, North Carolina had the lower mortgage denial rate of the two — 19.6% versus 23.8% in South Carolina, a gap of about 4.2 points. North Carolina originated about 188,875 loans and South Carolina about 98,330. By loan type, North Carolina was 79.1% conventional / 11.0% FHA / 9.5% VA, versus 72.6% / 15.5% / 11.1% in South Carolina. Informational data, not lending advice.
Source: HMDA Data Browser (FFIEC / CFPB). Data as of June 2026.
North Carolina vs South Carolina side by side
| Indicator | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Total originations | 188,875 | 98,330 |
| Denial rate | 19.6% | 23.8% |
| Home-purchase denial rate | 15.2% | 21.3% |
| Refinance denial rate | 31.0% | 32.3% |
| Conventional share | 79.1% | 72.6% |
| FHA share | 11.0% | 15.5% |
| VA share | 9.5% | 11.1% |
Verdict
On denial rate alone, an application looks more likely to be approved in North Carolina than South Carolina by roughly 4.2 points — but that mostly reflects who applies and for what kind of loan, not a promise about your file. Read each state's full profile for context: North Carolina and South Carolina. To estimate a payment in either, use the mortgage calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is it harder to get a mortgage in North Carolina or South Carolina?
By denial rate, South Carolina turned down a higher share of applications in 2023: 23.8% versus 19.6% in North Carolina, a gap of about 4.2 points. Denial rate reflects the applicant pool and loan mix as much as lender strictness, so it is a signal, not a guarantee about your own application.
Which state originates more mortgages, North Carolina or South Carolina?
North Carolina originated more — about 188,875 home-purchase and refinance loans versus 98,330 in South Carolina (HMDA 2023). Volume mostly tracks population and home values.
How do the loan-type mixes compare?
In North Carolina, conventional loans were 79.1%, FHA 11.0% and VA 9.5% of originations; in South Carolina they were 72.6%, 15.5% and 11.1%. A higher FHA/VA share usually means more first-time, lower-down-payment, or veteran buyers.
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Last updated: 2026-06-20