2 SC cities named among the best places to retire in 2026, study says. Here’s where & why

South Carolina is an ever-growing state that has been seeing massive population growth in recent years.

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Whether it’s because of the Palmetto State’s affordability or scenery, retirees are moving here in hordes. SC was the most appealing state for retirees last year, with a net gain of over 2.1 million Americans aged 65 and older.

But does that mean the cities in SC are good for those looking to relocate and settle down?

WalletHub, a personal finance company, analyzed 182 cities nationwide to determine the best and worst places to retire. The group compared the retirement-friendliness of the cities across four key dimensions: Affordability, activities, quality of life, and health Care.

They used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Council for Community and several other sources. You can find the group’s methodology here.

“The best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst.

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According to the study, two SC cities are among the best cities in the country for retirees. Here are the cities and their rankings:

Best SC cities to retire

#9. Charleston

This may not be a shocking ranking, considering how popular Charleston has been in recent years. The coastal city beat out many other notable areas, such as Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Richmond.

Here’s where Charleston placed in the four metric rankings:

• Affordability: 29th
• Activities: 26th
• Quality of life: 79th
• Health care: 59th

Charleston is also the perfect place for those who have a knack for fishing. The city is tied for first place in the number of fishing facilities.

#29. Columbia

Columbia ranked lower than Charleston, but still outscored more than 150 other cities. Here’s where the Palmetto State’s capital placed in the four metric rankings:

• Affordability: 17th
• Activities: 81st
• Quality of life: 81st
• Health care: 94th

Top 10 cities for retirees

The best three cities to retire in the U.S. are all in Florida, according to WalletHub. These are the 10 top cities for retirees:

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1. Orlando, Florida
2. Miami, Florida
3. Tampa, Florida
4. Scottsdale, Arizona
5. Casper, Wyoming
6. Atlanta, Georgia
7. Minneapolis, Minnesota
8. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
9. Charleston, SC
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania