Something significant has been happening in the Palmetto State for the past several years, and the numbers are hard to argue with. Retirees from across the country are leaving Florida, California, and the Northeast behind and choosing South Carolina as the place where they want to spend their golden years. This isn’t a trend built on one or two factors. It’s a convergence of affordability, favorable tax laws, rapid infrastructure growth, a mild climate, and a quality of life that competing states are simply struggling to match. The data from 2024 and 2025 tells a clear and compelling story.
The Migration Numbers Tell the Whole Story
Between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, South Carolina’s population grew at a rate of 1.5 percent, faster than any other state in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That headline alone is remarkable, but what makes it even more striking is what’s driving it. The primary driver of this population growth was domestic migration. From July 2024 to July 2025, South Carolina netted 66,622 domestic migrants, meaning 66,622 more people moved into the state than out of it.
For the sixth consecutive year, South Carolina has claimed the top spot as America’s most popular moving destination. According to moveBuddha’s 2025 report, which analyzed relocation data from 2020 through October 2025, South Carolina shows about double the interest in moves into the state compared to moves out, with a 1.97 in-to-out ratio. Retirees are a major part of this influx. According to AARP, South Carolina had the third highest net migration of people aged 60 and older in 2024, behind only Florida and Arizona. And unlike Florida, South Carolina has managed to keep its cost of living genuinely low.
A Tax Structure Built for Retirees
South Carolina is tax-friendly for retirees, with no state tax on Social Security benefits and generous deductions for retirement income. Property taxes are low, and the homestead exemption can reduce taxes on the first $50,000 of a primary residence’s value. There’s no state estate or inheritance tax either. For retirees living on a fixed income, these exemptions can add up to thousands of dollars saved each year compared to what they’d pay in other states.
South Carolina provides a deduction of up to $3,000 per year for retirement income for taxpayers under age 65, and up to $10,000 per year for taxpayers aged 65 and older. Military retirement income is fully deductible at any age. On top of that, resident individuals aged 65 or older may deduct up to $15,000 from any South Carolina taxable income, though amounts already deducted as retirement income reduce this $15,000 limit. According to a 2024 Moneywise ranking, South Carolina was named the number one state for retirement. That recognition isn’t coincidental.
Affordability That Actually Holds Up
Compared to the rest of the country, it costs about 9% less to live in South Carolina, according to RentCafe data from September 2025. Housing represents the biggest savings opportunity, with those costs being more than 14% less than the national average, making homeownership and renting substantially more affordable. Specific communities offer even more value for retirees on a budget. Aiken is especially popular among retirees, featuring a median home price of approximately $293,000. Meanwhile, Greenwood has a median home value of $258,000.
According to Redfin, as of September 2025, the median home value in South Carolina is $381,400, compared to the national median of $435,285. Renters can also see substantial savings, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment around $1,328 and two-bedroom units averaging $1,500, according to Zillow. Those figures represent real breathing room for anyone managing a retirement budget. The most affordable retirement destinations typically include Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of Texas, states that combine low housing costs, reasonable property taxes, and favorable policies for retirees.
Hotspot Communities Drawing Retirees In
Jasper County, situated between Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia, was the third fastest growing county in the nation with 5.9 percent population growth. A total of six South Carolina counties made the top 100 out of over 3,000 in the United States, including Horry County, ranking 34th with 3.8 percent growth, and Berkeley County, ranking 61st with 3.2 percent growth. The Myrtle Beach area in particular has become a retiree magnet. The Myrtle Beach metropolitan area had the third-fastest-growing population in the nation in 2024, according to the Census Bureau.
The 2024 U.S. News & World Report “Best Places to Retire” study, based on various factors including taxes, affordable housing, happiness ratings, and desirability, ranks Charleston #13 among the top 25 U.S. cities to retire in. Greenville is carving out its own reputation too. Greenville is regarded as one of the best cities in the state and the country, earning the rank of number four on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live in 2024-2025. Aiken, renowned for its equestrian tradition and small-town sophistication, offers high-quality healthcare through Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The town’s walkable downtown and mild climate are ideal for an active lifestyle.
Healthcare Growth Is Keeping Pace with Demand
There are well-equipped hospitals and senior care facilities throughout the state, and South Carolina is continuing to expand its health care infrastructure to cater to its growing senior population. That expansion is happening fast. Healthcare alone added 13,900 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, according to The Post and Courier. This kind of sector growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It reflects both the influx of older residents and the state’s deliberate investment in building out the medical infrastructure to serve them.
South Carolina offers solid healthcare services at a relatively moderate cost, with average health insurance premiums for individuals running around $440 per month. Prescription drug costs are lower than many other U.S. states due to local pharmacy competition, and major hospital networks like Prisma Health and MUSC offer access to high-quality care, while the growing telehealth sector is improving accessibility in rural counties. Among these healthcare systems are premier medical providers and specialists, such as neurologists, cardiologists, ophthalmologists, oncologists, and geriatric care specialists. Seniors can be confident that high-quality medical care is available when retiring in Upstate South Carolina. The combination of accessible, affordable healthcare and continued job growth in the medical sector gives retirees the kind of long-term security that truly matters when choosing a place to settle down permanently.
