Study: Best Cities to Grow Old in South Carolina

South Carolina's slogan is "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places," and those are just two of the things that attract thousands of retirees to the state each year. Mild winters, a low tax burden for seniors and an abundance of southern hospitality combine to make the Palmetto State a choice destination for living out your golden years. If retirement's on the horizon and you're planning a move, these 10 South Carolina cities are worthy of a closer look.

10 Best Cities to Retire in South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Study Methodology

We began by narrowing our focus to those cities with a population of 10,000 or higher. Using U.S. Census data, we then determined our final rankings based on the following factors:

1. Senior Population
   
2. Housing
   
3. Income
   
4. Recreation
   
5. Healthcare/social assistance

Moving is stressful but getting out and meeting people can make the transition to a new town that much easier. We looked at which cities had the highest percentage of residents over age 65 so you'll know where the most active senior communities are.

Swapping out your larger home for something smaller, like a condo or townhome, makes sense if you don't need as much space or you're looking to trim your budget. Our study considered the percentage of multi-unit housing structures in each city to find those places with the widest variety of options.

Retirement usually means seeing your steady paycheck replaced by other forms of income, like Social Security, pension benefits or distributions from a 401(k) or similar account. To give you a sense of how other retirees are doing financially, we looked at the median household income for residents 65 and over in each city.

South Carolina sees a lot of tourist traffic and no matter where you live, you don't have to look far to find something to do. We've ranked each city based on the number of people there are versus the number of art, recreation and entertainment establishments to measure how easy it is for seniors to stay active.

Moving to a new city often means changing doctors and we know how important having access to medical care is for retirees. Each city's ranking is based in part on the ratio of people to healthcare and social assistance establishments so you'll know which areas have the widest range of services available.

10. Gaffney

• Population Over 65: 18.5%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 26.3%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $26,879
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,131.7
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 289.5

One of the smallest cities in our study, Gaffney is located in the upstate region, about 20 miles northeast of Spartanburg. Largely rural, the city is home to just over 12,000 people and over 18% of those are 65 or older. The median income is low compared to other cities but housing is reasonably priced for renters and buyers. The city hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including Revolutionary War reenactments and the South Carolina Peach Festival.

Did You Know: Gaffney is known as the Peach Capital of South Carolina.

9. Beaufort

• Population Over 65: 14.3%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 21%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $46,467
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,131.3
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 148.7

Beaufort is the second-oldest city in the state after Charleston and a lot of its appeal lies in its historic charm and amazing waterfront views. Situated somewhat between Hilton Head and Edisto Island, the city is great choice for nature-loving retirees who enjoy things like fly-fishing along the marsh or bird-watching at the Cypress Wetlands. The median income for seniors is a healthy $46,000 and the city's 13,000 residents enjoy one of the lowest healthcare and social assistance provider ratios on our list.

Did You Know: Beaufort was named "Happiest Seaside Town" by Coastal Living magazine in 2013.

8. Anderson

• Population Over 65: 18.5%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 29.2%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $25,677
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,669.3
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 122

Anderson is another upstate city, located approximately 30 miles to the southwest of Greenville. Nearly 27,000 people live here and seniors make up almost 19% of the population. Anderson earns the best overall ranking for its ratio of people to healthcare and social assistance establishments, with more than 200 providers throughout the city. There are several golf courses in the area but some of the other things seniors may enjoy include touring the Anderson County Museum or taking a hot air balloon ride with Skyscapes of America.

Did You Know: Anderson is home to Palmetto Moonshine, the state's first legal moonshine distillery.

7. Clemson

• Population Over 65: 13%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 47.8%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $64,828
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,280.8
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 370.8

Clemson is largely defined by the presence of Clemson University but there's much more to love than just college football. Almost half of the city's housing is made up of multi-unit structures, many of which accommodate students, but there are some communities just for retirees. The median income for seniors is the second highest on our list, at $64,828, and there's no shortage of ways to be entertained. If football isn't your thing, you can always visit the South Carolina Botanical Garden or take a leisurely stroll around Fort Hill Plantation.

Did You Know: Fort Hill Plantation was once the home of Clemson University founder, Thomas Green Clemson.

6. West Columbia

• Population Over 65: 17.7%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 29.7%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $39,112
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,233
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 223.3

With close to 16,000 residents, West Columbia is a small but thriving suburb of South Carolina's capital city. Over 17% of the residents are over 65 and homes here are among the most affordable of any city in our rankings. You're just a short drive away from the many art galleries, museums and restaurants Columbia has to offer and nearby Lake Murray is ideal for skiing, boating and fishing.

Did You Know: The members of Grammy-winning group Hootie and the Blowfish met when they were all freshmen attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

5. Myrtle Beach

• Population Over 65: 15.8%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 59.1%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $31,766
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 392.9
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 123.5

Myrtle Beach is one of South Carolina's busiest tourist spots but if you don't mind heavier traffic in the summer, it's a great place to spend your retirement. About 28,000 people live here year-round and the city has the second-best healthcare ratio in our study. Nearly 60% of housing is composed of multi-unit structures and home prices are better than what you'd expect for a coastal city. Myrtle Beach is hands-down the best place on our list for things to do, with major attractions like the Carolina Opry, Broadway at the Beach and the Myrtle Beach Skywheel.

Did You Know: Myrtle Beach is unofficially known as both the seaside golf capital of the world and the miniature golf capital of the world.

4. Forest Acres

• Population Over 65: 19.9%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 26.8%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $48,938
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,748.2
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 243.9

Forest Acres is a suburb of Columbia, located northeast of downtown and adjacent to Fort Jackson military base. With under 11,000 residents, Forest Acres is the smallest city in our study but it's got a relatively high percentage of seniors. There are a number of healthcare and social assistance services here and over 500 more to choose from in the metro area. As far as attractions go, there are plenty of places to shop or grab a bite as well as several parks to explore.

Did You Know: "Sex and the City" actress Kristin Davis graduated from Forest Acres' A.C. Flora High School.

3. Aiken

• Population Over 65: 21.3%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 21.5%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $47,205
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,067.3
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 166.9

Generally considered part of South Carolina's midlands region, Aiken has one of the largest populations on our list, at close to 30,000 residents. Despite its size, the city evokes a quaint small town feel, which is something the older crowd is sure to appreciate. Aiken sees its fair share of visitors who come for attractions like the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, but the Hopelands Gardens offers a quiet place to escape the crowds.

Did You Know: One of the city's most widely attended events is the annual spring steeplechase race sponsored by the Aiken Steeplechase Association.

2. North Myrtle Beach

• Population Over 65: 29.3%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 58.6%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $43,243
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 452.3
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 482.4

Although it's roughly half the size of Myrtle Beach, the city of North Myrtle Beach has become one of the Grand Strand's most visited tourist towns. It's also become an increasingly popular place for retirees and adults over 65 make up nearly 30% of the city's 29,000 residents. Aside from the many golf courses, you can try your hand at parasailing, take in a show at the Alabama Theatre or cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the Barefoot Princess Riverboat.

Did You Know: "Wheel of Fortune" hostess Vanna White was born in Conway and lived in North Myrtle Beach before becoming a TV personality.

1. Hilton Head

• Population Over 65: 30.2%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 45.4%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $74,752
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 590.2
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 238.3

If you're looking to retire in a picture perfect coastal paradise where you can enjoy pristine beaches and some of the best golf around, Hilton Head is the place for you. This scenic barrier island, which has a population of just over 38,000, sits at the state's farthest southern point just north of Georgia's Tybee Island. The city has the highest percentage of seniors and residents over 65 earn the highest median income on our list, at close to $75,000. Local museums and galleries celebrate the region's Gullah culture but if you prefer the great outdoors, there are a number of companies in the area that offer dolphin-watching tours, kayaking and even catamaran sailing lessons.

Did You Know: Hilton Head offers some of the best year-round weather, with an average daytime temperature of a balmy 70 degrees.

We know what you're thinking: why didn't Charleston make the list? After all, it's got some of the best restaurants in the state, world-class golf and let's not forget the beauty of the local beaches. While Chuck Town came close to cracking the top 10, the other cities on our list proved to be a better fit based on our five study criteria...