23. South Carolina
You may be looking forward to teeing off at one of South Carolina’s plush golf courses or soaking up the sun at Myrtle Beach. Maybe you’re looking for a slower paced life in a southern city like Charleston. Before you make the decision to retire here, there are some issues to consider. The cost of living in South Carolina is more than 7% lower than the national average and so are the salaries. This results in unequal access to health care in a state that is already ranked in the top ten for obesity. In recent years South Carolina is among the worst states for violent crime.
If you have a good retirement income and South Carolina’s small town appeals to you, then you can find some safe and affordable homes in suburban neighborhoods like Wellford (estimated home values $80,000) or Edgefield. ($90,000)