Retire in Myrtle Beach, SC: taxes, health care and cost of living
Myrtle Beach, SC has about 38,371 residents, and 23.7% are 65 or older. The median home value is $388,800 and the median rent is $1,261 a month. The nearest hospital in our directory, McLeod Health Carolina Forest, is 3.8 mi away in a straight line. South Carolina: social Security and military retirement exempt.
Retire in Myrtle Beach is presented by: this spot is open for one local business.
Health care near Myrtle Beach
- Nearest hospital: McLeod Health Carolina Forest, 3.8 mi in a straight line.
- Nearest urgent care: Beach Family Urgent Care, 3.2 mi.
- 3 pharmacies within 5 miles.
Myrtle Beach compared with nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median age | 65 and older | Median home value | Median rent | Income, 65+ households | Nearest hospital | Pharmacies within 5 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | 38,371 | 47.3 | 23.7% | $388,800 | $1,261 | $67,691 | 3.8 mi | 3 |
| Carolina Forest | 26,263 | 40.3 | 18.3% | $336,800 | $1,668 | $70,352 | 3.5 mi | 5 |
| Forestbrook | 7,479 | 50.5 | 27.5% | $335,800 | $814 | $80,724 | 3.9 mi | 4 |
| Surfside Beach | 4,270 | 55.5 | 28.9% | $450,100 | $1,274 | $64,097 | 4.0 mi | 3 |
Taxes for retirees in South Carolina
South Carolina
Social Security and military retirement exempt
- Social Security and railroad retirement benefits are exempt from South Carolina income tax.
- All military retirement pay is exempt, at any age.
- Other qualifying retirement income: up to $3,000 a year can be deducted before 65 and up to $10,000 a year from 65.
- From the year you turn 65 you can also deduct $15,000 against any South Carolina income.
The real costs, honestly
Insurance and storms come first. Homeowners and flood insurance can cost more here than the property tax, and a standard policy does not cover flooding. Get quotes before you make an offer, check the flood zone and learn your evacuation zone.
FEMA flood maps · FloodSmart (National Flood Insurance Program) · Ready.gov: hurricanes
| County | Hurricane | Coastal flooding | Heat wave | Winter weather | Tornado |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horry County | Very High | Relatively High | Relatively Moderate | Relatively High | Relatively High |
Local pharmacies for retirees in Horry County
An active retirement near Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Fishing Beach Romance Reads Visitor guides Events in Myrtle Beach Golf coursesLibraries Myrtle Beach news
Your moving checklist
- Driver's license and car registration with South Carolina DMV
- Register to vote at SC Votes
- Medicare plans change by ZIP code: compare them at Medicare.gov, or get free one-on-one help from your state's SHIP counselors
- Find a new doctor before you move: many practices have waiting lists for new patients
- Save your county emergency management page and sign up for its alerts
Already retired here?
Help the next family decide. We publish short answers from readers after an editor reviews them, never with your address.
- Why we moved here: what you love, what surprised you and what you would tell a friend.
- Ask a local: send a question and we will answer it on this page or in a story.
- Add a club or class: free listing in our events calendar.
Retirement news and guides
- Hurricane evacuation zones for Grand Strand retirees: how to know your zone in SC and NC
- Senior centers and councils on aging in Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties
- Medicare help on the Grand Strand: free SHIP counseling in Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick
- South Carolina vs. North Carolina for Grand Strand retirees: income and property tax rules
- Retiring in Myrtle Beach: how SC taxes Social Security, pensions and military pay