Retirees Can Forget Florida, This East Coast State Has Beaches, Low Property Taxes, And A Quieter Coastal Lifestyle

Although the Palmetto State of South Carolina may be best known for crowded beaches like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, it also has quieter coastal escapes. Best of all, retirees can enjoy their golden years in a state with lower property taxes. According to a Tax Foundation analysis, South Carolina's effective property tax rate is 0.49%. For comparison, state averages nationwide range from 0.29% to 1.88%. And, according to LivingCost.org, South Carolina's overall cost of living is slightly below the national average — though affordability varies across the state. 

As far as access to quality healthcare, U.S. News & World Report recognized nine South Carolina hospitals as Best Regional Hospitals, with MUSC Health-University Medical Center ranked No. 1 in the state. The main MUSC campus is located in Charleston with satellite centers around the state. Center on Healthcare ranks South Carolina No. 20 overall based on residents' evaluations of healthcare quality, placing it in the upper half of the country.

Hilton Head, South Carolina ranks as one of the country's most expensive places to retire, with BestPlaces giving it an affordability score that's 4.3% higher than the national average. Meanwhile, according to Zillow, the average Hilton Head home is valued at $789,690 in July 2026, more than double the national average of $372,995 during the same time.

However, life can be much quieter, and more reasonably priced, in other areas of South Carolina, though. For instance, Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island offers retirees a peaceful place to relax, while Huntington Beach State Park is an excellent destination for birdwatching and fishing. Bluffton, which rests along the May River and has historic streets lined with oak trees covered in Spanish moss, boasts a population of just 33,000 people

If prioritizing affordability, Surfside Beach is an affordable town on the South Carolina seaside. BestPlaces reports that Surfside Beach is about 9.6% more affordable than the national average, while Zillow lists the average home value at $360,900, below the national average. As another cost-savvy choice, Conway is an affordable South Carolina town by Myrtle Beach where one in four of the population of 27,000 are older adults. Its costs of living are similar to Surfside Beach with home values even more affordable at $289,137.