By HelloFlorenceSC.com · Last reviewed: April 2026 · Florence, SC & the Pee Dee region
Most people searching for a retirement destination think of Florida, Charleston, or the mountains. They scroll past the Pee Dee region of South Carolina without a second thought. That may be the best retirement secret in the entire Southeast.
Florence, SC was ranked the number one city to retire in South Carolina by RetirementLiving.com — beating out coastal towns, mountain communities, and larger cities across the state. It has the highest senior population percentage of any major South Carolina city, some of the lowest housing costs on the list, and a healthcare infrastructure that most cities twice its size cannot match.
If you are thinking about retiring in Florence, SC, here is everything you need to know.
Retirement decisions come down to a handful of things that matter most: how far your money goes, how good your healthcare is, how safe and welcoming the community feels, and whether there is enough to actually do. Florence checks every one of those boxes — and does it at a price point that coastal South Carolina can no longer offer.
Florence sits at the crossroads of I-95 and I-20, which means you are never far from anywhere. The beach is roughly an hour away. Charlotte is two hours. The mountains are three. You get the Southern lifestyle, the mild winters, the community warmth — and you keep your savings intact in a way that Hilton Head or Charleston simply does not allow.
Learn more about living in Florence →Florence's overall cost of living sits approximately 20% below the national average. For retirees on a fixed income, that gap is significant.
Housing is where the advantage is most pronounced. The median home price in Florence is around $225,000 — a fraction of what the same square footage costs in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, or coastal North Carolina. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages around $920 per month. For retirees who want to own, that median price means your retirement savings go dramatically further here than almost anywhere else in the South.
Groceries run roughly 23% below the national average. Healthcare and transportation costs are approximately 20% below the national average. Utilities are moderate. These are not small differences — over a retirement that spans 20 or 30 years, the compounding savings are substantial.
See the full cost of living breakdown for Florence →South Carolina is one of the most tax-friendly states in the country for retirees. For anyone living on Social Security, a pension, or retirement account withdrawals, the tax picture here is genuinely favorable.
Here is what South Carolina offers retirees as of 2025:
One caveat worth noting: South Carolina does have a state sales tax averaging around 7.67% when local taxes are included. However, prescription drugs and groceries are fully exempt from sales tax — two of the largest expense categories for retirees.
Always consult a qualified financial advisor or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
For retirees, healthcare access is often the deciding factor. Florence punches well above its weight here.
The city is home to two major hospital systems — McLeod Regional Medical Center and MUSC Health Florence Medical Center — serving the entire Pee Dee region. McLeod Health, founded in 1906, has grown into one of the Southeast's leading regional healthcare systems with seven hospitals, cancer centers, cardiac care, orthopedics, and a full spectrum of specialist services. MUSC Health brings the resources of South Carolina's only comprehensive academic health system to Florence's doorstep.
HopeHealth, a federally qualified health center at 360 N Irby St, provides accessible primary care and behavioral health services for residents across income levels. Mercy Medicine at 500 S Coit St offers free medical care and prescription assistance for those who need it.
For retirees considering assisted living or senior communities, Florence has several well-regarded options. The Manor at 2100 Twin Church Road is a continuing care retirement community set on scenic grounds near the Pee Dee River. The Addison of Florence, recognized by U.S. News as a Best Senior Living community in 2025, offers assisted living and memory care. The Florence Presbyterian Community and Bethea Retirement Community — conveniently located near McLeod Regional Medical Center — round out the senior living options in the area.
The average cost of assisted living in Florence is approximately $4,538 per month — notably below both the South Carolina median and the national median — which is consistent with the broader cost of living advantage the city holds.
See local healthcare resources →Numbers matter. But retirement is ultimately about how you spend your days.
Florence has 18.6% of its population aged 65 and older — the highest senior percentage of any major city on South Carolina's best retirement cities list. That means a community that understands retirees, with services, social opportunities, and a pace of life that works for this chapter.
Downtown Florence has undergone a remarkable revival over the past decade — $300 million in investment, 91 new businesses, and a walkable historic district named a 2023 Great American Main Street Award winner. It is a place retirees can genuinely enjoy: independent restaurants, live music at Florence After Five, the City Center Farmers Market every Saturday, and the Florence County Museum with one of the most significant art collections in South Carolina — all free to visit.
Read the story of downtown Florence's revival →For those who love the outdoors, Florence offers Lynches River County Park's canopy walkway and kayak launch, the Florence Rail Trail, Jeffries Creek Park, and access to the SC Revolutionary Rivers National Water Trail. The beach is an hour away. Golf courses are plentiful throughout the region.
See all the best things to do in Florence →The arts scene includes the Florence Symphony Orchestra, the FMU Performing Arts Center, and the Florence Little Theatre — which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. The Florence County Library System offers free programs, resources, and community events for all ages and backgrounds.
Discover Florence →For retirees of faith, Florence has a deep and active faith community, with churches of virtually every denomination throughout the city and surrounding area.
Florence is a genuinely strong retirement destination, and this guide reflects that honestly. There are a few things worth knowing as you evaluate your decision.
If you are looking for a retirement destination where your dollar stretches further, your healthcare is close and comprehensive, your tax bill shrinks significantly, and your community feels like a real place with real neighbors — Florence, SC deserves a serious look.
It is not the most famous retirement destination in the South. That is precisely why it still offers what the famous ones no longer can: space, affordability, authenticity, and a community that has not been priced out of itself.
Florence is the Pee Dee's best kept retirement secret. And the people who have found it tend to stay.
Start planning your move to Florence →Whether you are still researching or already making plans, these pages will help you go deeper: