Quick answer: Retiring in Horry County is genuinely affordable — South Carolina’s cost-of-living index sits at 94.7, below the national average, and the state exempts Social Security income from tax entirely. Median home prices across the county run roughly $265,000–$272,000. Homeowners insurance runs about $1,500–$3,500 a year for inland areas like Carolina Forest, Longs and Conway, and climbs meaningfully closer to the beach.
Most retirement guides written about this area quote Myrtle Beach figures and stop there. That is a mistake, because Myrtle Beach is one town inside a county of about 400,000 people — and the numbers that decide whether a retirement budget holds up look very different in Conway than they do three blocks off Ocean Boulevard.
So this is a guide to retiring in Horry County as a whole: the Grand Strand beach towns, yes, but also the inland communities where most of my retired clients actually end up buying.
Why Retiring in Horry County Appeals to So Many Buyers
- South Carolina’s overall cost-of-living index is 94.7 — below the national average, and well below Florida at 102.2.
- Social Security income is fully exempt from South Carolina state income tax.
- Median home prices across the area run roughly $265,000–$272,000, with some recent quarters closer to $232,000.
- State income tax is a two-bracket system: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% above that, minus a $966 credit (2026 rates).
- Mild winters, no state estate or inheritance tax, and an established retiree community that makes the social side of moving much easier.
Insurance: The Number That Actually Varies
Insurance is the line item that reshapes budgets for anyone retiring in Horry County, and it is also the one most often quoted badly — usually because someone took a beachfront premium and applied it county-wide.
For the greater Grand Strand region, a realistic annual homeowners premium runs roughly $1,500 to $3,500. That is the range to plan around for inland and near-inland communities:
- Carolina Forest — master-planned, inland, popular with relocating families and retirees alike
- Conway — historic riverfront town about 15 miles inland, generally the lowest premiums in the county
- Longs and Loris — rural and semi-rural, larger lots, lower carrying costs
- Socastee and Forestbrook — close to the beach without coastal pricing
Premiums rise as you move east. Properties closer to the ocean — and especially true oceanfront or marsh-front homes in Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet or North Myrtle Beach — carry higher wind and hail deductibles, and many require separate flood coverage. Budget accordingly, and price the specific property rather than the region.
Do this before you make an offer, not after. Ask your agent for the current owner’s insurance declarations page, or get a quote on the specific address. Two houses on the same street can differ by thousands depending on flood zone, roof age and construction. More detail: flood insurance and hurricane coverage explained.
Property Taxes When Retiring in Horry County
South Carolina is unusually kind to retired homeowners, and retiring in Horry County specifically comes with two tax breaks worth filing for.
- A primary residence is assessed at 4% of market value and is exempt from the school operating millage. A second home is assessed at 6% and pays that school tax — which is why a second home’s bill runs roughly 2.6 times higher, not 50%.
- The senior Homestead Exemption has increased from $50,000 to $75,000 of fair market value under the FY 2026–2027 state budget, for homeowners 65 or older, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind.
- That increase is worth roughly $90–$150 more per year for most qualifying homeowners.
- Homestead applications go through the Horry County Auditor’s Office (843-915-5051), not the Assessor. The 4% legal residence application goes through the Assessor.
The full breakdown, with worked examples: Horry County property taxes explained.
What a Comfortable Retirement Budget Looks Like
Recent affordability analysis puts a comfortable retirement for a couple in this area at roughly $72,000 to $80,000 in annual spending, which generally implies a portfolio of $650,000 to $800,000 under a standard 4% withdrawal rate.
That said, the range is wide for a reason, and retiring in Horry County can cost very different amounts depending on where you buy. A paid-off house in Conway with a $1,800 insurance premium and a $1,400 tax bill supports a very different budget from an oceanfront condo with HOA dues, flood coverage and a wind deductible. The housing decision drives almost everything else.
| Cost area | Inland Horry County | Coastal Grand Strand |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | Roughly $1,500–$3,500/yr | Higher; wind, hail and flood add up |
| Property tax (primary residence) | 4% ratio, school millage exempt | Same rate, higher millage in some municipalities |
| HOA dues | Often low or none | Common, especially in condo buildings |
| Beach access | 10–30 minute drive | Walkable |
Where People Retiring in Horry County Actually Land
There is no single right answer to where retiring in Horry County works best, but patterns repeat. Buyers who want an active social calendar and low maintenance gravitate toward the 55+ communities on the Grand Strand. Buyers who want space, lower carrying costs and a quieter pace tend inland. Buyers who have waited their whole lives for the water accept the insurance and buy east.
If you are coming from the Northeast, the cost comparison is stark — see the real cost of living here versus the Northeast and the snowbird’s guide for NY, NJ and PA buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Carolina tax Social Security income?
No. South Carolina fully exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax, which is one of the more significant advantages for retirees settling anywhere in Horry County.
How much is homeowners insurance when retiring in Horry County?
Roughly $1,500 to $3,500 a year across the greater Grand Strand region, including inland communities such as Carolina Forest, Longs and Conway. Premiums run higher for properties closer to the beach, particularly where separate wind, hail or flood coverage is required.
Is retiring in Horry County affordable?
Broadly yes. The state’s cost-of-living index of 94.7 sits below the national average, median home prices run roughly $265,000–$272,000, and Social Security is untaxed. Insurance and HOA dues are the variables that most affect whether a given budget works.
How much money do I need to retire comfortably here?
Recent analysis estimates roughly $72,000–$80,000 a year for a couple, implying a portfolio in the $650,000–$800,000 range under a 4% withdrawal rate. A paid-off inland home lowers that requirement considerably.
What is the senior property tax break when retiring in Horry County?
Homeowners 65 or older, totally and permanently disabled, or legally blind, with at least one year of South Carolina residency, qualify for a Homestead Exemption — now $75,000 of fair market value, up from $50,000. Apply through the Horry County Auditor’s Office.
The Bottom Line
Retiring in Horry County works on the numbers, but those numbers depend heavily on where in the county you land. Before you commit, price the insurance and the tax bill on the specific address — not the regional average. Send me a property or a neighbourhood and I will run the real annual cost for you, or browse current listings to start narrowing.