The short version
- Social Security taxed?
- No
- Income tax
- Brackets 0%–6.0%, falling
- Property tax on a $300,000 home
- ≈ $1,470 / yr ($122 / mo)
- Everyday cost index (U.S. = 100)
- 95
- January / July high
- 59°F / 91°F
- Sales tax (state + local avg)
- 7.49%
Retiring in South Carolina
Low property taxes with a senior exemption, mild winters, and a $15,000 retirement exclusion. Watch out: hurricane and flood insurance costs on the coast.
How South Carolina taxes your retirement income
Social Security: not taxed at all.
Pensions: $15,000 retirement exclusion per person 65+ ($3,000 under 65).
401(k) and IRA withdrawals: The $15,000 exclusion covers 401(k)/IRA withdrawals at 65+.
The setup: Brackets 0%–6.0%, falling.
Property tax & senior breaks
The average effective property tax rate is about 0.49% — roughly $1,470 a year ($122 a month) on a $300,000 home. Your county sets the real number.
Help for seniors: First $50,000 of home value exempt for homeowners 65+.
Try your own home value in the Property Tax Estimator.
Everyday costs & sales tax
Overall cost of living runs about 5% below the U.S. average. The combined state and average local sales tax is 7.49%.
Weather
January days top out around 59°F and July days around 91°F, with roughly 216 sunny days a year. Watch out for: Hurricanes along the coast; hot humid summers.
Healthcare
MUSC in Charleston anchors care; rural access is weaker.