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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Retirement Guide
Retirement Score
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $287,900
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
- Avg January Low
- 41.2°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 93.3 (US avg = 100)
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 50 / 100
Overview
"Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the most affordable Atlantic Coast retirement destinations, with median home prices around $290,000 and a cost of living roughly 5% below the national average. South Carolina exempts Social Security and offers a $15,000 retirement-income deduction per person 65+. Grand Strand Medical Center anchors local care. The metro is known for 60 miles of beaches, golf, and a high senior population share."
Myrtle Beach sits along the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of Atlantic coast in northeastern South Carolina. The metro has been a retirement migration target since the 1980s, drawing primarily from the Northeast and Midwest. Today the senior population is around 25% age 65+, with dense concentrations of 55+ communities, condominiums, and golf-course developments.
The financial picture is one of the most favorable on the East Coast. South Carolina's retirement tax treatment (Social Security exempt, $15,000 retirement-income deduction per person 65+, low property taxes around 0.55%) combines with home prices that remain meaningfully below the rest of the coastal Southeast. The cost-of-living advantage compounds: groceries, healthcare, and services run below the national average.
Healthcare is provided primarily by Grand Strand Medical Center (HCA Healthcare) and Conway Medical Center. Specialist depth is moderate; complex cases sometimes route to Charleston or Charlotte. Medicare Advantage plan availability is strong, partly because of the dense retiree population.
The climate is warm and humid in summer (July high ~90°F, frequent afternoon thunderstorms) and mild in winter (January low ~37°F). Hurricane risk is real. Myrtle Beach is best for budget-conscious retirees who want Atlantic beach access, golf, and an active senior community at a price point well below the rest of the coastal Southeast.
Cost of Living
Affordability Metrics
Myrtle Beach's cost of living is 6.700000000000003% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.
Housing
Real Estate & Housing
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Myrtle Beach using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$624
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$701
Median home price used: $287,900
Median rent reference: $1,093 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Budget validation
Calculate if your savings last in this city
Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.
Open the RetireFree Calculator →Healthcare
Access & Quality
Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Myrtle Beach scores 32.6 out of 100 for healthcare access.
Care planning link
Find local assisted living in Myrtle Beach
If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.
Assisted living in Myrtle Beach →Taxes
State Tax Climate
South Carolina has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.Read more in our detailed South Carolina tax guide.
Climate
Weather & Environment
With 312 sunny days a year and an average January low of 41.2°F, Myrtle Beach offers a mild winter climate.
Safety & Walkability
Community Safety
Walkability
Demographics
Population Profile
Diversity Breakdown
Frequently asked questions about retiring in Myrtle Beach
Is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina a good place to retire in 2026?▾
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the most affordable Atlantic Coast retirement destinations, with median home prices around $290,000 and a cost of living roughly 5% below the national average. South Carolina exempts Social Security and offers a $15,000 retirement-income deduction per person 65+. Grand Strand Medical Center anchors local care. The metro is known for 60 miles of beaches, golf, and a high senior population share.
What is the cost of living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for retirees?▾
The cost-of-living index is 93, roughly 7% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $287,900.
Does South Carolina tax Social Security or retirement income?▾
For South Carolina residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
What is the climate like in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?▾
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has January average low around 41°F, July average high around 87°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
What is healthcare access like in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?▾
Myrtle Beach scores 33/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).
How much does it cost to retire in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?▾
For a retired couple in a paid-off home, total monthly costs in Myrtle Beach run roughly $3,266 based on the cost-of-living index of 93. This includes property taxes, utilities, healthcare premiums, groceries, transportation, and discretionary spending. Renters add roughly $1,200–$1,800/month for a 2-bedroom.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
RIVERBEND WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC
RIVERBEND WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC
RIVERBEND WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC
+18 more financial advisors available