Best places to retire in South Carolina
Written by:
April 10, 2021
realtor.com
Best places to retire in South Carolina
For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. After all that anticipation, deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision, so Stacker looked to data and rankings from Niche to compile a list of the best places to retire in South Carolina. Niche ranks places to retire based on a variety of factors including cost of living, health care, recreation, and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.
Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in South Carolina.
You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes
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#25. Hardeeville
- Population: 6,064
- Median home value: $336,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,227 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $68,365
- Pictured: 73 School Cut Rd, Hardeeville ($824,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $336,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,227 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $68,365
- Pictured: 73 School Cut Rd, Hardeeville ($824,900, 4 bedrooms)
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#24. Red Hill
- Population: 16,273
- Median home value: $167,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $916 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $46,799
- Pictured: 4480 Portrush Loop, Myrtle Beach ($679,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $167,900 (67% own)
- Median rent: $916 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $46,799
- Pictured: 4480 Portrush Loop, Myrtle Beach ($679,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#23. Bluffton
- Population: 20,799
- Median home value: $290,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,747 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $82,481
- Pictured: 135 Gascoigne Bluff Rd, Bluffton ($6.5 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $290,800 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,747 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $82,481
- Pictured: 135 Gascoigne Bluff Rd, Bluffton ($6.5 million, 9 bedrooms)
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#22. Hollywood
- Population: 5,176
- Median home value: $246,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $726 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $52,847
- Pictured: 4549 SC 165, Hollywood ($2.3 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $246,500 (82% own)
- Median rent: $726 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $52,847
- Pictured: 4549 SC 165, Hollywood ($2.3 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#21. Varnville
- Population: 1,854
- Median home value: $83,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $732 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $34,352
- Pictured: 719 Pepper St, Varnville ($585,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $83,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $732 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $34,352
- Pictured: 719 Pepper St, Varnville ($585,900, 3 bedrooms)
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#20. Forest Acres
- Population: 10,412
- Median home value: $193,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $959 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $69,212
- Pictured: 1441 Greenhill Rd, Columbia ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $193,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $959 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $69,212
- Pictured: 1441 Greenhill Rd, Columbia ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#19. Myrtle Beach
- Population: 32,700
- Median home value: $216,100 (56% own)
- Median rent: $913 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $43,200
- Pictured: 8908 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach ($5.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $216,100 (56% own)
- Median rent: $913 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $43,200
- Pictured: 8908 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach ($5.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#18. Mount Pleasant
- Population: 86,982
- Median home value: $461,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,629 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $103,232
- Pictured: 109 Center St, Mount Pleasant ($5.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $461,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,629 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $103,232
- Pictured: 109 Center St, Mount Pleasant ($5.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#17. India Hook
- Population: 4,006
- Median home value: $199,400 (96% own)
- Median rent: $934 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $87,897
- Pictured: 2153 Pavillion Ct, Rock Hill ($169,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $199,400 (96% own)
- Median rent: $934 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $87,897
- Pictured: 2153 Pavillion Ct, Rock Hill ($169,900, 3 bedrooms)
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#16. Tega Cay
- Population: 10,412
- Median home value: $331,100 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,453 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $130,918
- Pictured: 133 Forsythia Ln, Tega Cay ($975,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $331,100 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,453 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $130,918
- Pictured: 133 Forsythia Ln, Tega Cay ($975,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#15. Northlake
- Population: 3,643
- Median home value: $183,000 (81% own)
- Median rent: $857 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $79,740
- Pictured: 2500 Northlake Dr, Anderson ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $183,000 (81% own)
- Median rent: $857 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $79,740
- Pictured: 2500 Northlake Dr, Anderson ($1.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#14. Socastee
- Population: 24,964
- Median home value: $165,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $975 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $50,147
- Pictured: 1086 Folly Rd, Myrtle Beach ($1.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $165,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $975 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $50,147
- Pictured: 1086 Folly Rd, Myrtle Beach ($1.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#13. Aiken
- Population: 30,671
- Median home value: $188,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $951 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $56,199
- Pictured: 928 Two Notch Rd SE, Aiken ($3.1 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $188,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $951 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $56,199
- Pictured: 928 Two Notch Rd SE, Aiken ($3.1 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#12. Piedmont
- Population: 5,795
- Median home value: $128,500 (65% own)
- Median rent: $825 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $53,179
- Pictured: 3307 W Georgia Rd, Piedmont ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $128,500 (65% own)
- Median rent: $825 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $53,179
- Pictured: 3307 W Georgia Rd, Piedmont ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#11. Seven Oaks
- Population: 15,484
- Median home value: $150,100 (62% own)
- Median rent: $937 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $56,048
- Pictured: 128 Beth Hope Ln, Columbia ($475,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $150,100 (62% own)
- Median rent: $937 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $56,048
- Pictured: 128 Beth Hope Ln, Columbia ($475,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#10. North Myrtle Beach
- Population: 16,200
- Median home value: $266,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,110 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $60,982
- Pictured: 2808 N Ocean Pleasures Oceanfront Blvd N Unit Tropical, North Myrtle Beach ($2.3 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $266,200 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,110 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $60,982
- Pictured: 2808 N Ocean Pleasures Oceanfront Blvd N Unit Tropical, North Myrtle Beach ($2.3 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#9. Forestbrook
- Population: 6,591
- Median home value: $194,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $965 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $55,945
- Pictured: 290 Harbison Cir, Myrtle Beach ($414,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $194,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $965 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $55,945
- Pictured: 290 Harbison Cir, Myrtle Beach ($414,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#8. Quinby
- Population: 1,149
- Median home value: $130,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $850 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $59,167
- Pictured: 18 Kings Rd, Florence ($289,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $130,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $850 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $59,167
- Pictured: 18 Kings Rd, Florence ($289,900, 3 bedrooms)
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#7. Sullivan's Island
- Population: 2,203
- Median home value: $1,773,100 (83% own)
- Median rent: $2,167 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $136,528
- Pictured: 2429 Atlantic Ave, Sullivans Island ($8.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,773,100 (83% own)
- Median rent: $2,167 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $136,528
- Pictured: 2429 Atlantic Ave, Sullivans Island ($8.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#6. Little River
- Population: 9,792
- Median home value: $175,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $940 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $54,156
- Pictured: 129 Serenity Point Dr, Little River ($2.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $175,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $940 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $54,156
- Pictured: 129 Serenity Point Dr, Little River ($2.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#5. Surfside Beach
- Population: 4,385
- Median home value: $266,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,040 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $55,099
- Pictured: 613-A N Ocean Blvd N, Surfside Beach ($2.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $266,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,040 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $55,099
- Pictured: 613-A N Ocean Blvd N, Surfside Beach ($2.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#4. Isle of Palms
- Population: 4,360
- Median home value: $852,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,994 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $122,228
- Pictured: 3908 Palm Blvd, Isle Of Palms ($8.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $852,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,994 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $122,228
- Pictured: 3908 Palm Blvd, Isle Of Palms ($8.0 million, 9 bedrooms)
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#3. Hilton Head Island
- Population: 40,007
- Median home value: $483,600 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,271 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $84,575
- Pictured: 80 Bridgetown Ln, Hilton Head Island ($9.9 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $483,600 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,271 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $84,575
- Pictured: 80 Bridgetown Ln, Hilton Head Island ($9.9 million, 8 bedrooms)
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#2. Murrells Inlet
- Population: 9,137
- Median home value: $264,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,130 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $59,429
- Pictured: 4436 Richmond Hill Dr, Murrells Inlet ($1.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $264,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,130 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $59,429
- Pictured: 4436 Richmond Hill Dr, Murrells Inlet ($1.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#1. Garden City
- Population: 10,669
- Median home value: $145,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,062 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $44,862
- Pictured: 300 N Waccamaw Cultured Pearl Dr N Unit A, Garden City Beach ($1.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $145,800 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,062 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $44,862
- Pictured: 300 N Waccamaw Cultured Pearl Dr N Unit A, Garden City Beach ($1.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
