South Carolina gives retirees the best of all possible worlds. This coastal state has an affordable cost of living and low taxes, making it a great place for anyone on a fixed income. Its historic charm and vibrant culture ensure that you can spend your days doing the things you love.
If you are thinking about spending your golden years in South Carolina, NewHomeSource has found the top 10 cities to retire in the Palmetto State. You have worked hard your entire life, now is the time to kick back and invest in yourself.
Top 10 Places to Retire in South Carolina
1. Newberry
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.2%
- Median Home Value: $95,300
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 72
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 406
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Newberry is a charming rural suburb of Columbia, the state’s capital. This peaceful community, surrounded by amazing scenery, offers retirees the chance to relax and reconnect with nature during their golden years. Active Adults looking to walk on the wild side will love Newberry’s local winery and Lynch’s Woods Park.
2. Greenwood
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.5%
- Median Home Value: $97,400
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 350
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,292
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
If retiring in a fun college town sounds like a dream come true, you need to pack your bags and head for Greenwood. Cultural sites like the Railroad Historical Center, Emerald Farm, and Uptown farmers market offer invigorating ways to connect with your new town. Staying active and engaged with your community is easy in Greenwood.
3. Orangeburg
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.5%
- Median Home Value: $105,600
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 185
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 762
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Orangeburg is in a sweet spot; it’s nestled between Columbia and coastal Charleston. This idyllic town gives retirees easy access to plenty of urban hubs while still providing them with a peaceful and private community. If you don’t plan on compromising during your retirement, Orangeburg serves up the best of all possible worlds and a low cost of living to boot.
4. Gaffney
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.9%
- Median Home Value: $111,100
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 102
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 733
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Gaffney is a fantastic Spartanburg suburb, situated between the city and the beautiful Cherokee Falls, making it easy for active adults to live a life they love. No matter how you plan on spending your retirement, you can stay active in Gaffney, thanks to a beautiful natural setting, plenty of places to explore, and a nearby outlet mall.
5. Sumter
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.9%
- Median Home Value: $115,700
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 418
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,796
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Sumter is a historic town on the banks of Swan Lake. Nature enthusiasts will love being surrounded by state forests, a beautiful lake, and a picturesque iris garden. Retiring in Sumter means never getting tired of exploring the great outdoors and staying active and engaged with your new home and community.
6. Irmo
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.8%
- Median Home Value: $125,000
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 39
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 414
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 8
Embrace lakeside living when you retire to Irmo, SC. This delightful Columbia suburb sits on the quiet banks of Lake Murray yet also provides residents with an exciting urban lifestyle. This community offers retirees a fantastic lifestyle at a low cost of living, a true win-win situation!
7. Spartanburg
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16%
- Median Home Value: $125,600
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 450
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,483
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 9
Spartanburg is a thriving metropolitan area that offers something that every retiree can enjoy. Numerous parks dot the city, much to the delight of nature lovers. Spartanburg’s historic district features charming architecture, lively bars, and down-home restaurants. Culture lovers will lose track of time in the city’s museums. Think it can’t get any better? Well, to sweeten the pot, Spartanburg has a low cost of living and median home price.
8. Cayce
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.8%
- Median Home Value: $129,900
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 138
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 806
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 8
Cayce gives retirees a reasonably priced and fun urban retirement. This thriving suburb of Columbia has affordable houses and plenty of recreational activities to keep you active. The quaint city also provides residents with a peaceful and private place to call home. Start living a life you love when you retire in Cayce.
9. Anderson
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.1%
- Median Home Value: $136,800
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 188
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,559
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Anderson gives retirees the best possible lifestyle. This Greenville suburb is home to peaceful and private communities, with easy access to a thriving urban hub. If you aren’t in the mood to compromise during your retirement, Anderson is the ideal place to launch your next adventure.
10. West Columbia
- Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.7%
- Median Home Value: $142,800
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 127
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,202
- Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 8
If you’re looking for a fun place to retire, West Columbia is the perfect place to call home. This delightful community has a vibrant culture, placing you within reach of exciting museums and scrumptious restaurants. Unwind at the West Columbia Riverwalk and admire nature up close and personal at the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. Budget-conscious retirees will love the low cost of living.
Common Questions About Retiring in South Carolina
South Carolina is very tax-friendly to retirees. Almost all forms of retirement income are either not taxed, or have substantial tax deductions, and it has one of the lowest property taxes in the country.
At the age of 65 South Carolina’s homestead exemption has a complete tax deduction for the first $50,000 of Fair Market Value of your home.
More Cities To Consider for Retirement:
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city.
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
Other South Carolina Resources
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
Judy
I am looking for a modular communities maybe senior in the upstate side of sc. Maybe near Charlotte .not everyone can afford 300,000 and up. There has to be some where we can go thanks judy
Jamie Garcia
Hi Judy,
You can see all of our homes and builders in the Charlotte area here: https://www.newhomesource.com/communities/nc/charlotte-area. You can sort by price to find a builder who might be within your price range, or look at builders to discuss a custom home that fits your needs.
Karen Huhn
Looking for retirement 2 bed,2 bath, no stairs, safe, gated, senior community, close to medical, arts crafts, stores, good transportation. Prefer Charleston area or Columbia. Just looking for now. Thank you
Christel S
Looking for a long time rental unit, 2 bd/1bath in a 55+ community around Lancaster, SC or other close by cities.
This would be for summer of 2024. Appreciate any reply, thank you very much.
Susan
Looking for more socialization and a new home. Age 56. Isolation issues status post Covid. Heard South Carolina good for retirement. Need is for independent living, but will be moving alone.