South Carolina Solidifies Position as Top-Tier Retirement Destination in 2026

For those planning their golden years, the location can be just as important as the savings account. WalletHub has released its comprehensive study on the “Best & Worst States to Retire” for 2026, and the results highlight a strong performance for the Palmetto State. Evaluating all 50 states across 46 key metrics—including tax rates, healthcare access, and recreational activities—the study places South Carolina at #17 overall in the nation.

The ranking reflects a strategic balance between financial incentives and lifestyle, though some regional neighbors are keeping the competition close.

The Palmetto State’s Winning Formula

South Carolina’s standout feature continues to be its economic appeal for those on a fixed income.

• Affordability (#6): The state ranks among the very best in the country for cost of living. With a taxpayer-friendly environment that includes no tax on Social Security benefits and a generous retirement income deduction, it remains a primary draw for budget-conscious retirees.

• Healthcare (#34): While the state has seen steady improvements in medical infrastructure, it still lands in the bottom half of the country. This metric accounts for the quality of public hospitals and the number of physicians per capita.

• Quality of Life (#37): This category measures factors such as mild weather, shoreline mileage, and elder-abuse protections. While South Carolina offers world-class beaches and golf, the ranking suggests room for growth in senior-specific community programming.

How the Neighbors Fare

South Carolina finds itself in a highly competitive region, with neighboring states offering varying advantages:

When looking across the border, the grass might be slightly greener to the north.

• North Carolina: Our northern neighbor outperformed us, landing at #13 overall. Like South Carolina, North Carolina shines in Affordability (Rank #7)—one spot behind SC. However, it scored significantly better in Quality of Life (#26), making it a more balanced option for retirees, though its Health Care ranking (#37) is similarly low.

The National Top 5

For those willing to look further afield, the study identified the top five states for retirement in 2025 as:

1. Wyoming
2. Florida
3. South Dakota
4. Colorado
5. Minnesota

Methodology

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators of retirement-friendliness. These indicators were grouped into three dimensions: Affordability, Quality of Life, and Health Care.

Source: WalletHub, “Best and Worst States to Retire (2025)” – https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-to-retire/18592