Retire in Oak Island, NC: taxes, health care and cost of living
Oak Island, NC has about 9,030 residents, and 42% are 65 or older. The median home value is $456,500 and the median rent is $1,339 a month. The nearest hospital in our directory, Dosher Memorial Hospital, is 5.8 mi away in a straight line. North Carolina: social Security not taxed.
Retire in Oak Island is presented by: this spot is open for one local business.
Health care near Oak Island
- Nearest hospital: Dosher Memorial Hospital, 5.8 mi in a straight line.
- Nearest urgent care: Beach Family Urgent Care, 39.4 mi.
- 1 pharmacies within 5 miles.
Oak Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Island | 9,030 | 62.3 | 42% | $456,500 | $1,339 | $71,696 | 5.8 mi | 1 |
| Southport | 4,205 | 64.2 | 47.9% | $437,700 | $1,426 | $70,372 | under 1 mi | 2 |
| Bolivia | 247 | 37.5 | 25.9% | $290,000 | $1,167 | $31,818 | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Holden Beach | 962 | 64.4 | 46.4% | $658,900 | $1,475 | $91,389 | 6.9 mi | 1 |
Taxes for retirees in North Carolina
North Carolina
Social Security not taxed
- North Carolina does not tax Social Security or railroad retirement benefits.
- Military retirement pay can be deducted if you served at least 20 years or were medically retired (taxable years from 2022).
- Federal, state and local government retirees with five or more years of service as of Aug. 12, 1989 (the Bailey settlement) can deduct those benefits.
- Other pensions and IRA withdrawals are taxed as regular 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brunswick County | Very High | Relatively High | Relatively Moderate | Relatively High | Relatively Moderate |
Local real estate agents for retirees in Brunswick County
An active retirement near Oak Island
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Your moving checklist
- Driver's license and car registration with NCDMV
- Register to vote at NC State Board of Elections
- 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