Is It Better To Retire In Georgia 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, Georgia and South Carolina are the two most popular for retirees seeking a lower cost of living and more laid-back environments.
Deciding to retire in Georgia or South Carolina is a large decision. If you are moving from further away, relocating to an entirely new part of the country makes this even more difficult of a decision. Leaving friends, family, and familiarity behind can be difficult for anyone, especially as you begin your life as a retiree. While most people that relocate to these two states have spent significant time there before, not everyone has! Some people move to the Georgia and South Carolina coasts 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 Georgia. 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 Georgia. 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 pretty comparable to Georgia if you want distinct seasons and cooler summers.
Cost of Living in South Carolina
All in all, South Carolina is a bit less than 4% cheaper to live in than Georgia. Grocery bills are lower in South Carolina most of the time, gas is cheaper, and even dining out will cost you less at a typical restaurant. 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 Georgia, 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 Georgia 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, and it outdoes Georgia in many ways other than city life. South Carolina doesn't have a major city like Atlanta. 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 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 Georgia. 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. If you crave a large, urban feel, South Carolina is probably not for you. Opt for Atlanta, Georgia 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.
Georgia
Weather in Georgia
Georgia has weather that is very similar to that of Florida, but ever so slightly cooler. Therefore, it is known for its constantly sunny, albeit humid, weather. Both Georgia and South Carolina are very hot, and winters in both states are very comparable to one another. In Savannah, GA, the July high is around 93 degrees while the January low is about 39 degrees. Savannah, GA averages about 50 inches of rain per year, which is about 38% more than the average in the United States. Myrtle Beach, SC is sunnier than most of the country, and Savannah, GA is no exception to that rule. Savannah, GA sees about 216 annual sunny days, while Myrtle Beach sees closer to 218.
When it comes down to it, Georgia weather and South Carolina weather are very similar. This makes sense, as the two states are adjacent to one another and are very similar in geographic makeup. While both states are humid, they aren’t nearly as humid as their southern counterpart of Florida. Both Georgia and South Carolina see four distinct seasons each year, with much more temperate winters than states further north or inland. Savannah is usually in the high 60’s and low 70’s in March, making this the most ideal month to check the area out.
Cost of Living in Georgia
Living In Georgia is very appealing to a lot of people. If you are thinking about living in Georgia, it is likely that you have heard very promising things regarding the cost of living. The rumor on the street is that Georgia is an exceptionally affordable state to live in. Is that true? Indeed it is! Georgia is generally a very affordable state to live in, and according to upnest.com, the only city in the entire state that has a cost of living above the national average is Atlanta, and that city is more or less on par with the national average. Living in Georgia is likely cheaper than living in your current state, making this a great option for many people.
While that fact is appealing, it is important to remember that the cost of living is going to be naturally higher in popular retirement places than in typical small towns. Savannah, Georgia is going to be a lot more expensive than a small town in the middle of the state. These small towns in the middle of the state bring down the cost of living, and they are significantly cheaper than the national average. Still, as the most expensive place in the state is right on par with the national average, you can rest assured that any part of the state you want to live in will probably be affordable, at least when compared to the national average.
Activities in Georgia
Part of the beauty about retiring to Georgia is that it is not a state that is known for drawing in droves of tourists. While Atlanta is a global city that brings in millions of visitors per year, it doesn’t really speak for the rest of the state. Similarly, while the coastal areas around Savannah are very popular and trafficked by tourists, they don’t necessarily represent the entire coastline. Georgia has plenty to offer tourists, but it isn’t nearly the hotbed of tourism that Florida is during peak tourist seasons. While this can be an advantage, it can also be a drawback. Less tourists often means less amenities and activities. While South Carolina sees bigger tourist runs than Georgia, this at least leads to countless incredible restaurants and activities, even in places that aren’t super popular among tourists.
Georgia is a very big sports state. This is the heart of college football country, and Atlanta has a full set of professional sports teams. If you are a sports fan, living around Atlanta gives you the opportunity to go to games of nearly every sport, including the big three of basketball, baseball, and football. The University of Georgia Bulldogs were the College Football champions of 2022, too, so the college sports scene is equally robust here.
Coastal places like Savannah are known for their fantastic dining scenes and beautiful town centers. Living near either Savannah or Atlanta can be a real advantage for people who move to Georgia, as these are two of the most bustling parts of the state.
Housing in Georgia
Compared to South Carolina, housing in Georgia is pretty expensive. The average home price in Georgia is around $265,000 in 2022, blowing away the average home cost of South Carolina by roughly 25%. While houses in Georgia tend to be nice and filled with amenities, you typically get less bang for your buck in Georgia than you do in South Carolina and will likely be able to afford less land. The quality of housing available is generally comparable, but the prices in South Carolina just tend to be lower.
Like anywhere, the prices vary widely depending on where you want to live in the state. Atlanta is going to be very expensive compared to the rest of the state, as the area is much denser and the average property values in cities tend to be higher than in rural areas. Similarly in Savannah, housing is very expensive, as the city is booming with demand. In other parts of the state, though, the housing costs are going to be more affordable, and potentially even closer to the prices of homes in South Carolina.
Population Density in Georgia
Georgia is an extremely average state in terms of population density. While South Carolina ranks 25th in population density at about 170 people per square mile, Georgia ranks 23rd with about 186 people per square mile. That difference of 16 people per square mile is very minute. Both states have a population density value that is less than half that of Florida, and the distribution of people is not considered to be dense at all.
This figure makes a lot of sense, and if you remove Atlanta from the calculations, the states’ numbers look even more comparable. The vast urban center of Atlanta pulls the average population density higher, and South Carolina doesn’t really have any major cities anywhere near as big as Atlanta. While you can find urban feels in both states, Atlanta is much more urban than any place that you will find in South Carolina. Both states offer abundant rural areas.
Should I Move To Georgia 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 buck, amenities, and space, Georgia 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. In our opinion, the only reason to choose Georgia over South Carolina would be if you want to live in the urban metropolis of Atlanta. If you are looking for anything else, South Carolina probably offers it at a higher quality or a cheaper price. Maybe that is just our local bias talking, but there is a reason we have stayed in South Carolina all these years!
Thanks for reading our post about whether it is better to retire in Georgia 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
