Best counties to retire to in South Carolina

Written by:
February 1, 2021
Canva

Best counties to retire to in South Carolina

Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.

When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in South Carolina using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.

Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.

Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in South Carolina.

You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes

1 / 25
Canva

#25. Spartanburg County

- Population: 302,195
- Median home value: $133,700 (70% own)
- Median rent: $773 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $50,179
2 / 25
Bill Fitzpatrick // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Bamberg County

- Population: 14,600
- Median home value: $71,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $800 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $32,229
3 / 25
Jud McCranie // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Darlington County

- Population: 67,253
- Median home value: $87,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $662 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $36,254
4 / 25
Lazyksaw // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Dorchester County

- Population: 155,474
- Median home value: $186,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,069 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $61,698
5 / 25
Bill Fitzpatrick // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Greenwood County

- Population: 70,264
- Median home value: $117,300 (64% own)
- Median rent: $705 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $40,982
6 / 25
NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Newberry County

- Population: 38,068
- Median home value: $100,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $722 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $42,765
7 / 25
Connor401 // Wikimedia Commons

#19. York County

- Population: 258,641
- Median home value: $186,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $938 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $62,431
8 / 25
Canva

#18. Richland County

- Population: 408,263
- Median home value: $158,200 (59% own)
- Median rent: $952 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $53,922
9 / 25
KudzuVine // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Pickens County

- Population: 122,746
- Median home value: $138,900 (68% own)
- Median rent: $749 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $47,024
10 / 25
Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Colleton County

- Population: 37,568
- Median home value: $85,100 (76% own)
- Median rent: $716 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $36,276
11 / 25
Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Edgefield County

- Population: 26,769
- Median home value: $126,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $617 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $49,200
12 / 25
Bill Fitzpatrick // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Saluda County

- Population: 20,299
- Median home value: $107,700 (74% own)
- Median rent: $684 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $44,486
13 / 25
Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Clarendon County

- Population: 34,017
- Median home value: $93,800 (76% own)
- Median rent: $605 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $37,525
14 / 25
Canva

#12. Charleston County

- Population: 394,708
- Median home value: $295,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,147 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $61,028
15 / 25
Bill Fitzpatrick // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Calhoun County

- Population: 14,713
- Median home value: $104,000 (81% own)
- Median rent: $613 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $44,534
16 / 25
Canva

#10. Greenville County

- Population: 498,402
- Median home value: $172,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $880 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $56,789
17 / 25
Ralph Hightower // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Lexington County

- Population: 286,316
- Median home value: $151,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $907 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $59,593
18 / 25
Upstateherd // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Anderson County

- Population: 195,995
- Median home value: $137,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $747 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $47,906
19 / 25
Festiva76 // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Aiken County

- Population: 166,926
- Median home value: $142,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $794 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $50,036
20 / 25
Farrargirl // Wikimedia Commons

#6. McCormick County

- Population: 9,606
- Median home value: $117,700 (77% own)
- Median rent: $579 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $42,262
21 / 25
Calatayudboy // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Lancaster County

- Population: 89,546
- Median home value: $182,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $753 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $55,223
22 / 25
Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Oconee County

- Population: 76,696
- Median home value: $155,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $725 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $46,056
23 / 25
Pollinator // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Horry County

- Population: 320,915
- Median home value: $172,500 (71% own)
- Median rent: $915 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $48,279
24 / 25
Canva

#2. Georgetown County

- Population: 61,605
- Median home value: $187,200 (77% own)
- Median rent: $933 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $48,071
25 / 25
Canva

#1. Beaufort County

- Population: 182,658
- Median home value: $288,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,157 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $63,110

Trending Now