Overlook Florida, Individuals are actually flocking to South Carolina for a greater life — why retirees on a finances ought to care

Florida would possibly get all of the headlines, however there’s one other Southern state quietly stealing the highlight — and saving residents hundreds of {dollars} within the course of.

For the sixth consecutive yr, South Carolina has claimed the highest spot as America’s hottest transferring vacation spot, and the monetary incentives are exhausting to disregard.

Based on moveBuddha’s 2025 report, which analyzed relocation knowledge from 2020 by way of October 2025, South Carolina exhibits about double the curiosity in strikes into the state in comparison with strikes out, with a 1.97 in-to-out ratio.

The Palmetto State additionally captured 13.7% of web move-related searches, touchdown it among the many 5 states with the best transferring quantity (1).

What makes South Carolina so enticing is not simply the shoreline and gentle climate however what you will preserve in your checking account. In comparison with the remainder of the nation, it prices about 9% much less to reside within the state, in accordance with RentCafe knowledge from September 2025 (2).

Housing represents the largest financial savings alternative, with these prices being greater than 14% lower than the nationwide common, making homeownership and renting considerably extra inexpensive. Based on Redfin, as of September 2025, the median dwelling worth in South Carolina is $381,400, in comparison with the nationwide median of $435,285 (3, 4).

Renters also can see substantial financial savings, with common hire for a one-bedroom condominium round $1,328 and two-bedroom models averaging $1,500, in accordance with Zillow (5).

Past housing, RentCafe exhibits that on a regular basis bills stay manageable. Groceries price roughly the identical as they do nationwide, whereas clothes runs about 11% decrease. The one class the place South Carolina exceeds nationwide averages is utilities, that are 10% larger (6).

Whether or not South Carolina will prevent cash relies upon largely on the place you are at present residing.

In the event you’re relocating from pricier markets like California, New York or Massachusetts, the distinction might imply lots of of {dollars} much less in month-to-month mortgage funds — or tens of hundreds saved on a down cost.

Nonetheless, in the event you’re transferring from states with related or decrease prices of residing, the monetary benefit diminishes.

South Carolina’s enchantment significantly attracts one demographic: retirees. Based on a 2021 Inhabitants Reference Bureau report, 18.7% of South Carolina’s inhabitants is aged 65 and over (7).

For this group, the state presents beneficiant tax advantages on retirement earnings and decrease healthcare prices in lots of areas. Healthcare bills can common round $538 per thirty days for particular person medical insurance, with prescription drug prices usually decrease as a consequence of pharmacy competitors (8, 9).

Nonetheless, youthful employees should not low cost South Carolina, as cities like Charleston, Greenville and Columbia provide vibrant facilities with out big-city value tags. However maybe extra importantly, there are job alternatives.

Based on the S.C. Division of Employment and Workforce, WRHI.com reviews, the state has skilled regular job progress throughout a number of sectors, “from manufacturing to healthcare, expertise to utilities” (10).

Healthcare alone added 13,900 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, The Submit and Courier reviews, whereas skilled, scientific and technical providers grew by 10,500 jobs (11).

Learn extra: Are you richer than you assume? Listed below are 5 clear indicators you’re punching method above the common American’s wealth

Earlier than loading up the transferring truck, it is good to run some numbers to make sure the transfer to South Carolina makes monetary sense:

Evaluate complete housing prices. Look past buy value or hire. Consider property taxes, householders’ insurance coverage, HOA charges and utility prices. South Carolina’s property taxes are average, however insurance coverage prices fluctuate considerably by location, particularly in coastal areas susceptible to hurricanes.

Calculate healthcare accessibility and prices. Analysis the provision of high quality healthcare suppliers in your goal space, significantly specialists in case you have ongoing medical wants. Healthcare prices and entry can fluctuate by location.

Assess your full finances. Use cost-of-living calculators to match your present metropolis to particular South Carolina areas. And bear in mind to account for transportation prices: since South Carolina is basically car-dependent, that features automobile bills, insurance coverage and fuel.

Take into account geographic variation. Not all South Carolina areas provide equal worth. For instance, coastal space Hilton Head Island might be considerably dearer, with prices 4% larger than the nationwide common, whereas Anderson presents prices 16% decrease than the remainder of the nation, RentCafe.com reviews (12).

Go to earlier than committing. Spend time in your goal neighborhood throughout totally different seasons. South Carolina’s scorching, humid summers might be difficult for some, and contribute to larger utility payments throughout peak months.

The state’s housing market exhibits indicators of remaining inexpensive for the foreseeable future. Based on Houzeo, housing stock grew by 6.7% year-over-year in January 2025, with the market sustaining a balanced five-month provide (13).

With properties spending a median of 85 days in the marketplace and 26.3% experiencing value reductions, consumers have negotiating energy. The mixture of accessible stock and cheap appreciation charges (1.7% year-over-year) means newcomers, no matter their age, can really feel assured that housing prices will not all of the sudden spike.

Earlier than making the leap, do your homework: run the numbers, go to potential neighborhoods and consider your stage of life. You would possibly discover that the state’s “higher high quality of life” comes with a more healthy stability sheet, too.

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moveBuddha (1); RentCafe (2, 6, 12); RedFin (3, 4); Zillow (5); PRB (7); Kiplinger (8); TedLaw (9), WRHI (10); The Submit and Courier (11); Home Zeo (13)