Is It Better To Retire In Florida Or South Carolina?
It is no secret that the southern half of the United States’ East Coast is one of the hottest retirement destinations in the country. From impressive tax breaks to beautiful weather, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida offer many attractive incentives. Of these four states, Florida and South Carolina are the two seeing the biggest influxes of retirees.
Deciding to retire in Florida or South Carolina is a big deal. For many, this entails moving a long distance either south or east, and often saying goodbye to family and loved ones. While most people that relocate to these two states have spent significant time there before, not everyone has! Some people move to Florida without having ever even been there before. Many people who are in a similar position wonder which state is better to move to: South Carolina or Florida. This post is going to lay out the key differences between the two states that you should be aware of before moving to either one, hopefully helping you to narrow down your housing search to just one state.
South Carolina
Weather in South Carolina
South Carolina is known for its incredible weather. While both states are definitely hot, South Carolina offers its residents four distinct seasons with very mild winters and slightly tamer summers than Florida. In Myrtle Beach, SC, the July high is around 89 degrees while the January low is about 35 degrees. Myrtle Beach also averages about 52 inches of rain per year, which is about 40% more than the average in the United States. Don’t let that rain on your parade, though; Myrtle Beach averages 218 sunny days per year, which is 13 more than the average across the United States.
While the summers are definitely hot, the rest of the seasons are very enjoyable. Winter lows in the high 30’s are very comfortable for most people, and the chance that you will see snow in a given year is low. The shoulder seasons stay cool and comfortable for very long in South Carolina, and the best times of year as a resident here are from late February through early May and mid-September through early November. In short, South Carolina is better than Florida if you want distinct seasons and cooler summers.
Cost of Living in South Carolina
All in all, South Carolina is about 8.4% cheaper to live in than Florida. Grocery bills are lower in South Carolina by over 10%, gas is cheaper, and even dining out will cost you less. This is due to different taxes that are in place as well as many other economic factors that are in play. South Carolina has a booming agricultural industry, much like Florida, and its groceries are cheaper than many other states for that reason.
One of the best parts of South Carolina’s cost of living is its cheap gas. South Carolina charges below the national average per gallon of gasoline, largely due to one of the lowest gas taxes in the country. This, coupled with favorable income tax laws and some loopholes that are especially friendly to retirees, make South Carolina a great place to retire on a tighter budget. South Carolina is significantly cheaper than Florida pretty much across the board, making it a much more accessible option for many people.
Activities in South Carolina
South Carolina’s tourism industry has been increasing recently, but its own tourist attractions are nothing compared to Disneyworld and Miami. In many ways, this is a very good thing. South Carolina has some really charming and exciting destinations. Charleston is one of the most adorable small cities in the United States, and Myrtle Beach is known for its fantastic food and events offerings. Other cities throughout the middle of the state are known for their beautiful landscapes and laid-back lifestyle. There are also a lot of exciting historical sites to check out, as South Carolina was very critical to the Civil War.
While these venues are all exciting, they don’t draw in nearly as many tourists as Florida’s large attractions. For a retiree, that can be very good! While major areas like Myrtle Beach and Charleston see large influxes of people during the summer months, that is really the extend of tourism in South Carolina. During the months when the tourists are away, you are left with crazy amounts of restaurants and entertainment venues per capita. While some venues close for the offseason, plenty stay open, making Myrtle Beach and its surrounding area a fantastic place to live outside of the summer months.
Housing in South Carolina
Apples to apples, South Carolina’s housing market is much more budget friendly than that of Florida. The average home price in South Carolina is at or below $200,000, which is well below the national average. Homes here are usually bigger and more spacious compared to homes of the same price in other states, meaning that you are likely to get much more bang for your buck.
While there are many rural places to live in South Carolina, there are a few major urban areas, too. Charleston and Myrtle Beach are booming cities, while places like Columbia and Greenville have been regional hubs for a long time. Whether you want a downtown feel, a suburban vibe, or a rural place to call your own, South Carolina is a state where you’ll probably be able to get much more than you expected for your money. At the end of the day, isn’t this what you want?
Population Density in South Carolina
If you are hoping for a bit more personal space, South Carolina is probably more up your alley. Ranking at 25th nationally in population density, South Carolina only has about 170 people per square mile. This is less than North Carolina and Georgia, and less than half the population density of Florida. While there are other factors that play into this metric – like the presence of major cities – it is still fair to say that South Carolina is a very spread-out state.
Frankly, South Carolina doesn’t really have any major cities. This is part of what plays into this low population density metric. The largest city in the Carolinas is Charlotte, which is located right on the border of both states, but within the confines of North Carolina. This city has nearly one million inhabitants within its limits, making it one of the largest in the country. Still, Charlotte, which isn’t even in South Carolina, is small compared to a few of Florida’s major cities. If you crave a large, urban feel, South Carolina is probably not for you. Opt for Florida instead. However, if you like a bit more space to yourself, less traffic, and a generally more homey feel, South Carolina could very well be the place for you.
Florida
Weather in Florida
Florida is known for its constantly sunny, albeit humid, weather. Again, both states are very hot, but Florida maintains its warm weather even through the winter months and offers no semblance of four distinct seasons. In Tampa, FL, the July high is around 91 degrees while the January low is about 52 degrees. Tampa averages about 51 inches of rain per year, which is about 40% more than the average in the United States. While Myrtle Beach is sunnier than most of the country, Florida beats it out when it comes to the number of sunny days. Tampa averages 246, which is significantly more than Myrtle Beach’s 218.
Both states are humid, but Florida’s humidity is one of its calling cards. The air in Florida is so stick in the summer that you sometimes need a change of clothes before you even leave your house. While the summers are rough in this way, spring and autumn weather in Florida is actually very pleasant. Tampa is usually in the high 60’s and low 70’s in February, making this an ideal month to check the area out.
Cost of Living in Florida
If you are dreaming of living in Florida, it is likely that you have heard a wide range of things regarding the cost of living. Some people have likely told you that Florida is an extremely expensive state, while others have probably told you it is so much cheaper than they expected. At the end of the day, Florida is actually right on par with the average cost of living in the United States, despite its large appeal to snowbirds and tourists.
Now, it should be noted that this number is very heavily skewed in two directions. There are parts of Florida – like the central and panhandle regions – that are very affordable to live in. These places bring down the cost of living, as they are cheaper than the national average. Then there are other place to live, like Miami and Orlando, where the cost of living is significantly higher than the United States average. These places bring the cost of living right back up to be on par with the rest of the country. At the end of the day, the cost of living in Florida is extremely dependent on where in the state you live. If you live in Miami, your expenses are going to be much higher than if you live near the border with Alabama. It is as simple as that.
Activities in Florida
Florida is one of the most important tourism states in the United States of America. Firstly, major attractions like the Disney theme parks in Orlando draw in tourists from all around the world. The Disney theme parks in Orlando are widely regarded as the best theme parks in the entire world, and millions of people visit the United States each year just to check out Disneyworld. Then there are also global cities like Miami, which draws visitors for its fashion industry, its urban feel, and its world-class dining and rich culture. If that weren’t enough, some of the nation’s top beaches like Siesta Key and Clearwater Beach are located in Florida, drawing in even more tourists each year.
The buzzword here is tourists. These activities are all a lot of fun, and they can certainly be enjoyed at any time of the year. However, for a large portion of the year, Floridians share these spaces with massive waves of tourists from all over the country and the world. While Florida residents get discounted tickets to Disneyworld, that doesn’t help them with the fact that a million other people still get to enter Disneyworld. Florida is a good option for retirement for those who don’t mind large crowds and heavy traffic as much, as many Florida retirement destinations get quite crowded during portions of the year.
Housing in Florida
Compared to South Carolina, housing in Florida is very expensive. The average home price in Florida is far above $300,000, blowing away the average home cost of South Carolina by roughly 50%. In Florida, you get less bang for your buck and will likely be able to afford less land. For this reason, non-luxury homes are usually much smaller than comparably priced homes in South Carolina.
Naturally, there is a wide range of prices. The prices go up significantly if you want to live near a major city like Miami. As housing is scarcer, prices are much higher. If you want to live in a more rural area, the prices will be naturally lower and slightly more accessible. It all boils down to whatever you want, of course, but housing costs are significantly higher in Florida than they are in South Carolina.
Population Density in Florida
Florida can be a really great place to live if you don’t mind the trade-offs. While South Carolina ranks 25th in population density at about 170 people per square mile, Florida ranks 13th with over 400 people per square mile. Simply put, Florida is a lot more heavily trafficked and lived in than South Carolina is. This is much more than North Carolina and Georgia, and over double the population density of South Carolina. If you are seeking larger yards and more personal space, Florida is a place where you will likely have to pay a premium to get them.
To be fair, Florida has many large cities, unlike South Carolina. Places like Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Tallahassee all bring up the population density metric. Miami is significantly larger than Charlotte, and the rest of South Carolina’s cities don’t even begin to compare in terms of size. While you can find it in both states, the city life is much more attainable in Florida than it is in South Carolina. Conversely, while there are rural areas of both states, the rural life is much more attainable and affordable in South Carolina.
Should I Move To Florida Or South Carolina?
At the end of the day, the answer to this question is totally dependent on your own preferences and desires. While South Carolina offers you much more bang for your bucks and space, Florida offers its own advantages, too. Both are fantastic states to live in, and you are likely to have a great experience regardless of which state you choose. As long as you do your homework ahead of time and make an educated decision based off of your needs, you are likely to have a great time. Remember, moving to a new state is never one size fits all, and just because your friend loves or hates a particular state does not mean that you will feel the same way.
Thanks for reading our post about whether it is better to retire in Florida or South Carolina. We know that relocating to a new state can be scary, and we are here to help alleviate some of those worries. If you visit Myrtle Beach or any other place in South Carolina and fall in love, we’re here to help. We at The Boyd Team are committed to helping you find the right property for your needs and dreams. Any question that you have about moving to the area and finding your dream home by the beach is our pleasure to answer. Feel free to send us an email at eddie@boydteam.com or text or call us at (843) 222-8566, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Being true natives of the Grand Strand and Horry County and with over 25 years of experience in the local real estate market, whether buying or selling, we can help you make your dreams a reality.
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Written by Greg
