Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Mild winters, tax-friendly retirement rules, and coast-to-lake options.
1. Hilton Head Island: Best overall
2. Myrtle Beach: Best beach value
3. Bluffton: Best low-country value
4. Charleston: Best for culture
5. Greenville: Best Upstate pick
6. Aiken: Best horse-country pick
7. Beaufort: Best small coastal town
8. Seneca: Best lake retirement value
South Carolina is a retirement favorite for good reason: mild winters, a low cost of living, no tax on Social Security, and a coastline that draws retirees from across the country. Here are the 8 best places to retire in South Carolina, ranked for climate, cost, and access to care.