Best Places to Retire in South Carolina for Housing
Quick answer
The most affordable housing places to retire in South Carolina in 2026 are Gaffney, Orangeburg, and Cayce. Gaffney ranks first, with median home price of $120,800. Rankings below cover 15 South Carolina cities and measure the median home price, using Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data.
Explore the most affordable housing markets for retirees, featuring cities with high-value real estate options. When choosing a retirement destination in South Carolina, housing is often a top priority. The cities below are ranked by the median home price, drawn from Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data and refreshed for 2026.
Source: Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data. See our full methodology and data lineage →
Ranked #1 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $120,800. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$120,800
Ranked #2 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $134,800. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$134,800
Ranked #3 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $147,700. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$147,700
Ranked #4 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $161,500. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$161,500
Ranked #5 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $165,000. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$165,000
Ranked #6 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $168,200. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$168,200
Ranked #7 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $171,300.
Median Home Price
$171,300
Ranked #8 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $171,400. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$171,400
Ranked #9 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $172,900.
Median Home Price
$172,900
Ranked #10 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $175,700. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$175,700
Ranked #11 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $177,300. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$177,300
Ranked #12 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $178,000.
Median Home Price
$178,000
Ranked #13 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $181,300.
Median Home Price
$181,300
Ranked #14 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $201,100. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$201,100
Ranked #15 of 15 South Carolina cities for housing, with median home price of $202,000. Retirees choose it for established retirement community.
Median Home Price
$202,000
Want a personalized retirement recommendation?
Our retirement quiz analyzes your preferences for taxes, climate, and lifestyle to find the perfect city for your next chapter.
Take the Retirement QuizFrequently asked questions
What is the best place to retire in South Carolina for housing?
Gaffney ranks first among South Carolina retirement cities for housing, with median home price of $120,800. Orangeburg and Cayce follow closely behind. Rankings use Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data.
How does RetireCityIQ rank South Carolina cities for housing?
Each city is scored on the median home price, sourced from Census Bureau and Zillow home-value data. Cities are then ordered from lowest to highest on that metric. See our methodology page for the full scoring model and data lineage.
Which South Carolina cities are covered in these housing rankings?
These rankings cover 15 South Carolina retirement cities, including Gaffney, Orangeburg, Cayce, Berea, Spartanburg, and more. Each links to a full retirement guide with cost of living, taxes, healthcare, and climate data.