Picking a state to retire in is a very big deal. Typically, when people decide on a place to settle down and retire, they’re planning on being there for a long time. With such a big decision, it is obviously important to do your research before deciding on a place, as you don’t want to wind up regretting your choice later! Historically, states toward the southern end of the East Coast – namely Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina – have been some of the most popular states for retirees. Recently, though, a few states just north of that area are starting to gain popularity among retirees as well. States like North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee offer some similar aspects as these southern states while also providing their own diverse range of benefits. This post is going to take a look at one state from each of these two regions – the southern East Coast and the central East Coast – to compare and contrast what retirees can expect in each one. Specifically, this post is going to dive into the question “Is it better to retire in Virginia or South Carolina?”
The first thing to note is that Virginia and South Carolina are very similar in some ways, but worlds different in others. Deciding between Virginia and South Carolina as a retirement spot is a big deal. Both of these states offer a slew of great benefits for retirees, but they also come with their own unique attributes as well. Virginia, for example, has much less of an enticing coastline than South Carolina, but it does have several big cities and it borders Washington D.C. South Carolina, on the other hand, is not a very urban state at all, but it is home to the Grand Strand, which is a 60-mile stretch of beautiful coastline. This post is going to take a look at differences like this, including what you can expect in the way of weather, cost of living, activities and entertainment, housing options, and population density.
Weather
Weather in South Carolina
South Carolina is known for its incredible weather. While both states are definitely hot in the summer, South Carolina offers its residents much warmer weather all year than Virginia. While Virginia’s summers are hot and humid, its winters can drop below freezing. In South Carolina, this is hardly ever the case. In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 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 in South Carolina are definitely hot, the rest of the seasons are very enjoyable and hardly ever require the donning of a winter coat. 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 Virginia if you want four distinct seasons but also warmer winters.
Weather in Virginia
Virginia is far enough north to where you really see a drastic temperature change between seasons. It is not uncommon to see snow in the winter in Virginia, and it is also not uncommon to have summer days that reach above 90 degrees. As a result, Virginia weather only beats South Carolina weather if you want to see these four distinct seasons. Some people love having both a winter wardrobe and a summer wardrobe, and these people will love Virginia. In Richmond, VA, the July high is around 89 degrees while the January low is about 47 degrees. Tampa averages about 44 inches of rain per year, which is about 15% more than the average in the United States. Richmond sees about 210 sunny days per year, which is above the United States’ average, but lower than Myrtle Beach’s 218 sunny days.
Both states have four distinct seasons, but Virginia’s seasons see a much broader range of temperatures and weather patterns. This is great for people who love snow and cold mornings. South Carolina’s milder winters are better for people who appreciate a brisk morning but do not want to shovel snow or wear a hat and gloves.
Cost of Living
Cost of Living in South Carolina
According to mylifeelsewhere.com, South Carolina is about 11.9% cheaper to live in than Virginia. Grocery bills are only slightly lower in South Carolina, but gas is cheaper by 8% and even dining out will cost you 10% 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, and some of 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. As mentioned above, gas in South Carolina can be as high as 8% cheaper than gas in Virginia. 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 Virginia pretty much across the board, making it a much more accessible option for many people.
Cost of Living in Virginia
Virginia is a very big state, and it is important to mention that the average cost of living changes drastically depending on where you live in the state. Areas that border Washington DC, like Arlington, are exorbitantly expensive and include some of the most expensive zip codes in the country. Other expensive areas include popular beach destinations like Virginia Beach and Virginian cities like Richmond and Charlottesville. If you are living in any of these places, you cost of living will be much higher than what is indicated here. Meanwhile, if you live in a place further west in the state or further outside of any of these cities, the cost of living might even mirror South Carolina’s.
With that being said, Virginia is 10.9% more expensive to live in that South Carolina. This cost of living will be reflected in different ways all over your grocery bills, utility expenses, taxes, and more. If you can afford it, there are many beautiful places to live in Virginia. However, we find that South Carolina offers comparable (if not more beautiful) places to live for much cheaper.
Activities
Activities in South Carolina
South Carolina’s tourism industry has been growing recently, and it is very evident in popular places like Charleston and Myrtle Beach. In many ways, this is a very good thing. South Carolina has some really charming and exciting destinations. For example, 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 tend to be busiest in the summer and pretty laid back during the rest of the year. For a retiree, that can be a very good thing! 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 large 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. What South Carolina does not have is major cities. As we will see later, Charlotte is the biggest city in the Carolinas, and it is not even in South Carolina.
Activities in Virginia
Virginia is one of the most historic states in the United States of America. As a result, there are endless battlefields, monuments, and historic landmarks to explore in Virginia. This is where many of the founding fathers came from, and places like Thomas Jefferson’s house named Monticello can still be visited and toured. On top of just history, Virginia has great hiking in the Appalachian mountains, decent beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, and major cities including Washington D.C. and Richmond. While Washington D.C. is technically not in Virginia, it is surrounded on all sides by Virginia and Maryland and may as well be included in this analysis.
Virginia sees its fair share of tourists for these attractions, and things definitely get congested over the summer months, just like in South Carolina. Coastal places like Virginia Beach see sharp price increases in the summer months, and cooler winters mean that many of these activities can only be enjoyed properly for a shorter portion of the year.
Housing
Housing in South Carolina
Apples to apples, South Carolina’s housing market is much more budget friendly than that of Virginia. 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?
Housing in Virginia
Compared to South Carolina, housing in Virginia is very expensive. According to this article, The average home price in Virginia is around $325,000, blowing away the average home cost of South Carolina by roughly 50%. In many parts of Virginia, you can little to no yard, much less property per dollar, and higher costs associated with owning your home. While this is not true for the entire state, it is certainly true for the most popular areas. 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 Washington D.C. or a popular tourism spot like Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia than they are in South Carolina.
Population Density
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, Virginia, 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, plays a very minimal role in affecting the state’s population density. If you crave a large, urban feel, South Carolina is probably not for you. Opt for Northern Virginia 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.
Population Density in Virginia
Virginia has a significantly higher population density than South Carolina. It ranks at 20th in the country with 219 people per square mile. Again, this number is not an accurate representation of the full state, as rural region in the Appalachian Mountains will look very different from the suburbs of Washington D.C. Still, it is fair to say that on average, Virginia is a lot more heavily trafficked and lived in than South Carolina is. Virginia’s population density is higher than North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, but it is still lower than Florida, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
While Virginia also doesn’t have any metropolises, it does have a few decently sized cities that bring up its population density metric. Washington D.C.’s population does not count in this study, but all of its surrounding suburbs that lay in Virginia do. Additionally, Virginia has Richmond, Charlottesville, and Stafford to bring up its population density. Again, while there are rural and urban areas in both states, the rural life is much more attainable and affordable than the urban life in both of these states, and you should adjust your expectations accordingly.
Should I Move To Virginia Or South Carolina?
At the end of the day, this question’s answer is entirely up to you. There is no one state that is better than the other, but rather a slew of different outcomes that favor some people more than others. While South Carolina offers you a much better cost of living and warmer winters, Virginia offer snow and proximity to northern East Coast cities. 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 Virginia 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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