These SC cities among the 25 best places to retire in the US, Forbes says. Here’s why

South Carolina has two cities on the Forbes magazine list of best places to retire — Charleston and Hilton Head.

The magazine considered almost 1,000 places, looking at all sorts of variables from climate change risk to crime to availability of doctors. That list was further scrutinized based on stuff to do such as the arts, fine dining, opportunities for learning and activities such as hiking, skiing, water sports and golf.

The top 25, which were not ranked, were in 16 states and about a third could be considered college towns.

“They also excel in healthcare when a university has its own medical school (as in Iowa City or Ann Arbor, Michigan),” William P. Barrett, senior contributor for Forbes, wrote.

About Charleston, Barrett wrote, “This historic coastal city offers fine dining, a robust arts scene, outdoor water activities and golf (with more than three dozen courses in the area).”

With a population of 165,000 and a median home price of $581,000, 37% above national median, the cost of Living is 20% above national average, he said.

He noted the College of Charleston exempts senior citizens from tuition.

“At an elevation of 20 feet, Charleston is moderately walkable and very bikeable,” he wrote.

Barrett noted the high number of primary care doctors per capita, but did not mention the Medical University of South Carolina, the state’s only comprehensive academic health sciences system, educating over 3,100 students in six colleges and training 950 residents and fellows.

U.S. News & World Report named MUSC the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina in 2024, the 10th consecutive year.

Barrett said Charleston has good air quality, a relatively high risk for natural hazards — hurricanes — and a 6% state income tax rate for couples making more than $17,838 of taxable income.

No tax on Social Security benefits and $30,000 of retirement account/pension income per couple is also attractive, he said.

“The serious crime rate is a bit above the national average,” he said.

About 20% of Charleston’s population is made up of retirees, according to the U.S. Census.

Hilton Head’s advantage comes from water activities and golf, Barrett said.

The area has more than 70 golf courses, good air quality and an adequate number of primary care physicians. The serious crime rate is low.

“The island is somewhat bikeable, but not all that walkable,” he said.

Natural hazards are rated relatively high by FEMA.

Hilton Head’s population is about 38,000 and the median home price is $760,000, an eye-popping 80% above the national median.

The cost of living is 39% above the national average.

The U.S. Census says about 40% of the population is of retirement age.

Other Southeastern cities on Forbes list were Athens, Georgia; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Pinehurst, North Carolina and Sarasota, Florida.

Major cities included New York City, Boston, San Francisco and Dallas.

One state — Oregon — had three cities on the list, Bend, Eugene and Ashland.

Cities where the cost of living is lower than the national average were Walla Walla, Washington; Traverse City, Michigan; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Iowa City, Iowa; Fayetteville, Arkansas and Athens, Georgia.