Forget Florida, Americans are now flocking to South Carolina for a better life — why retirees on a budget should care

Florida might get all the headlines, but there's another Southern state quietly stealing the spotlight — and saving residents thousands of dollars in the process.

For the sixth consecutive year, South Carolina has claimed the top spot as America's most popular moving destination, and the financial incentives are hard to ignore.

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According to moveBuddha's 2025 report, which analyzed relocation data from 2020 through October 2025, South Carolina shows about double the interest in moves into the state compared to moves out, with a 1.97 in-to-out ratio.

The Palmetto State also captured 13.7% of net move-related searches, landing it among the five states with the highest moving volume (1).

The financial appeal

What makes South Carolina so attractive isn't just the coastline and mild weather but what you'll keep in your bank account. Compared to the rest of the country, it costs about 9% less to live in the state, according to RentCafe data from September 2025 (2).

Housing represents the biggest savings opportunity, with those costs being more than 14% less than the national average, making homeownership and renting substantially more affordable. According to Redfin, as of September 2025, the median home value in South Carolina is $381,400, compared to the national median of $435,285 (3, 4).

Renters can also see substantial savings, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment around $1,328 and two-bedroom units averaging $1,500, according to Zillow (5).

Beyond housing, RentCafe shows that everyday expenses remain manageable. Groceries cost roughly the same as they do nationwide, while clothing runs about 11% lower. The only category where South Carolina exceeds national averages is utilities, which are 10% higher (6).

Who benefits most?

Whether South Carolina will save you money depends largely on where you're currently living.

If you're relocating from pricier markets like California, New York or Massachusetts, the difference could mean hundreds of dollars less in monthly mortgage payments — or tens of thousands saved on a down payment.

However, if you're moving from states with similar or lower costs of living, the financial advantage diminishes.

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The age factor

South Carolina's appeal particularly attracts one demographic: retirees. According to a 2021 Population Reference Bureau report, 18.7% of South Carolina's population is aged 65 and over (7).

For this group, the state offers generous tax benefits on retirement income and lower healthcare costs in many areas. Healthcare expenses can average around $538 per month for individual health insurance, with prescription drug costs generally lower due to pharmacy competition (8, 9).

However, younger workers shouldn't discount South Carolina, as cities like Charleston, Greenville and Columbia offer vibrant amenities without big-city price tags. But perhaps more importantly, there are job opportunities.

According to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, WRHI.com reports, the state has experienced steady job growth across multiple sectors, "from manufacturing to healthcare, technology to utilities" (10).

Healthcare alone added 13,900 jobs from March 2024 to March 2025, The Post and Courier reports, while professional, scientific and technical services grew by 10,500 jobs (11).

Read more: Are you richer than you think? Here are 5 clear signs you’re punching way above the average American’s wealth

Testing the waters before you move

Before loading up the moving truck, it's smart to run some numbers to ensure the move to South Carolina makes financial sense:

Compare total housing costs. Look beyond purchase price or rent. Factor in property taxes, homeowners' insurance, HOA fees and utility costs. South Carolina's property taxes are moderate, but insurance costs vary significantly by location, especially in coastal areas prone to hurricanes.

Calculate healthcare accessibility and costs. Research the availability of quality healthcare providers in your target area, particularly specialists if you have ongoing medical needs. Healthcare costs and access can vary by location.

Assess your complete budget. Use cost-of-living calculators to compare your current city to specific South Carolina locations. And remember to account for transportation costs: since South Carolina is largely car-dependent, that includes vehicle expenses, insurance and gas.

Consider geographic variation. Not all South Carolina locations offer equal value. For example, coastal area Hilton Head Island can be significantly more expensive, with costs 4% higher than the national average, while Anderson offers costs 16% lower than the rest of the country, RentCafe.com reports (12).

Visit before committing. Spend time in your target community during different seasons. South Carolina's hot, humid summers can be challenging for some, and contribute to higher utility bills during peak months.

Long-term housing outlook

The state's housing market shows signs of remaining affordable for the foreseeable future. According to Houzeo, housing inventory grew by 6.7% year-over-year in January 2025, with the market maintaining a balanced five-month supply (13).

With homes spending an average of 85 days on the market and 26.3% experiencing price reductions, buyers have negotiating power. The combination of available inventory and reasonable appreciation rates (1.7% year-over-year) means newcomers, whatever their age, can feel confident that housing costs won't suddenly spike.

Before making the leap, do your homework: run the numbers, visit potential neighborhoods and factor in your stage of life. You might find that the state’s “better quality of life” comes with a healthier balance sheet, too.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

moveBuddha (1); RentCafe (2, 6, 12); RedFin (3, 4); Zillow (5); PRB (7); Kiplinger (8); TedLaw (9), WRHI (10); The Post and Courier (11); House Zeo (13)

This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Forget Florida, Americans are now flocking to South Carolina for a better life — why retirees on a budget should care

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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