Best Cities for Retirees in South Carolina
South Carolina ranks #40 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 54.0. Fort Mill is its best city for retirees at 68.1.
- South Carolina, all states
- #40 of 50
- Population
- 30,775
What Retirees Should Know About South Carolina
At #40 out of 50, South Carolina isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in affordability, and retirees with specific priorities (safety, low cost of living) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. South Carolina's health score of 41/100 is a concern — at 75.1 years, life expectancy trails the national average, and access to quality care can be uneven. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 8.15% of income. The 6.2% income tax rate is worth factoring into retirement income projections. Property taxes run 0.53% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.
A typical home value of $306,323 is manageable for retirees selling homes in higher-cost markets. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 60/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Fort Mill | A+ | 68.1 | 71.0 | 60 | 84 | 61 | 30,775 |
| 2Mount Pleasant | A | 62.4 | 63.8 | 79 | 83 | 39 | 93,993 |
| 3Greer | B+ | 59.0 | 61.5 | 52 | 58 | 75 | 41,536 |
| 4Aiken | B | 59.0 | 56.0 | 56 | 42 | 76 | 32,521 |
| 5Bluffton | A | 58.4 | 63.6 | 71 | 81 | 51 | 33,157 |
| 6Greenville | C+ | 56.7 | 55.7 | 61 | 46 | 65 | 72,935 |
| 7Charleston | B+ | 55.3 | 59.8 | 69 | 58 | 55 | 154,338 |
| 8Hilton Head Island | B | 53.8 | 55.9 | 71 | 66 | 52 | 37,911 |
| 9Rock Hill | C | 53.6 | 50.3 | 41 | 47 | 71 | 75,259 |
| 10Goose Creek | B | 53.0 | 57.2 | 52 | 67 | 64 | 48,078 |
| 11Summerville | C+ | 48.8 | 52.7 | 50 | 57 | 65 | 51,654 |
| 12Carolina Forest | D | 48.6 | 46.7 | 58 | 49 | 67 | 26,263 |
| 13Sumter | D | 46.9 | 43.8 | 34 | 34 | 83 | 43,053 |
| 14Columbia | C | 46.7 | 50.4 | 48 | 20 | 76 | 139,643 |
| 15Anderson | D | 45.9 | 46.7 | 40 | 22 | 81 | 30,051 |
| 16Florence | D | 44.4 | 45.8 | 35 | 30 | 85 | 40,408 |
| 17Conway | D | 44.3 | 48.5 | 45 | 26 | 80 | 27,263 |
| 18North Charleston | C | 43.8 | 50.4 | 48 | 41 | 67 | 119,913 |
| 19Myrtle Beach | F | 41.4 | 40.6 | 43 | 31 | 70 | 38,371 |
| 20Spartanburg | F | 41.1 | 40.1 | 32 | 19 | 81 | 38,910 |
City retirees scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: South Carolina for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Carolina a good state for retirees?
South Carolina ranks #40 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 54.0/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (9/100).
What is the best city for retirees in South Carolina?
Fort Mill ranks #1 in South Carolina for retirees with a score of 68.1/100, followed by Mount Pleasant and Greer.
What factors are most important for retirees in South Carolina?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.