Charleston, Columbia, and Charlotte Among Best Places to Retire in the Carolinas, While Florida Dominates Top Spots

With inflated prices making retiring on a fixed income more difficult, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst Places to Retire in 2024, as well as expert commentary, to help people find an ideal spot to enjoy their golden years without breaking the bank.

WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 45 key measures of affordability, quality of life, health care and recreational activities.

Three Carolina cities have earned spots on WalletHub’s 2024 list of the best places to retire, showcasing the region’s appeal to retirees. Charleston, SC, Columbia, SC, and Charlotte, NC, each offer unique advantages for those looking to settle down in their golden years, combining Southern charm with a range of amenities and opportunities.

Charleston, SC: A Top Southern Gem

Charleston leads the way among Carolina cities, ranking 16th overall on the list. This historic coastal city is renowned for its rich culture, beautiful architecture, and a strong sense of community. Charleston scored highly in the quality of life category, offering a vibrant mix of recreational activities, historic sites, and scenic beauty. The city’s charm and cultural richness make it a top choice for retirees seeking an engaging and fulfilling retirement experience. However, Charleston’s healthcare ranking at 111th suggests that while the city offers solid medical services, there are areas for improvement in accessibility and affordability for seniors.

Columbia, SC: Affordability Meets Southern Comfort

Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, comes in at 28th overall, making it another attractive option for retirees. Columbia stands out for its affordability, ranking 27th in that category. The city offers a lower cost of living compared to many other retirement destinations, making it ideal for those on a fixed income. Columbia also provides a decent range of activities and a quality of life that appeals to retirees looking for a balance between urban conveniences and a relaxed pace of life.

Charlotte, NC: A Growing Hub for Retirees

Charlotte, NC, ranks 109th overall, reflecting both its strengths and areas for growth as a retirement destination. As one of the largest cities in the Carolinas, Charlotte offers a dynamic urban environment with an expanding array of cultural and recreational opportunities. However, its ranking highlights challenges such as healthcare accessibility and cost of living, which are important considerations for retirees. Despite these challenges, Charlotte remains a viable option for those seeking a vibrant city life in their retirement years.

Florida Dominates the Top Rankings

Best Cities to Retire

1. Orlando, FL
2. Miami, FL
3. Minneapolis, MN
4. Tampa, FL
5. Fort Lauderdale, FL
6. Scottsdale, AZ
7. Cincinnati, OH
8. St. Petersburg, FL
9. Casper, WY
10. Atlanta, GA

While the Carolinas offer strong contenders for retirees, it’s noteworthy that four of the top five places to retire are located in Florida. Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale take the top spots, with their favorable tax environments, warm climates, and abundant recreational activities making them highly desirable for retirees. Florida’s dominance in the rankings highlights the state’s continued appeal as a retirement haven, particularly for those seeking a sunny, active lifestyle.

These rankings illustrate the diverse options available to retirees in the Southeast, with the Carolinas offering a range of attractive cities for those seeking both affordability and quality of life, while Florida remains a powerhouse for retirement living.

Best Retirement Cities

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Affordability Rank	Activities Rank	Quality of Life Rank	Health Care Rank
1	Orlando, FL	61.49	9	16	74	35
2	Miami, FL	61.47	56	2	89	27
3	Minneapolis, MN	59.63	93	7	79	6
4	Tampa, FL	59.61	40	9	28	93
5	Fort Lauderdale, FL	59.47	59	13	48	39
6	Scottsdale, AZ	59.32	110	21	3	31
7	Cincinnati, OH	58.17	123	4	70	29
8	St. Petersburg, FL	57.84	40	31	26	55
9	Casper, WY	57.63	3	72	29	88
10	Atlanta, GA	57.34	70	6	120	43
11	Las Vegas, NV	57.33	15	5	111	149
12	Pittsburgh, PA	57.01	121	24	44	7
13	Wilmington, DE	56.68	69	23	139	12
14	Denver, CO	55.96	91	8	99	57
15	Madison, WI	55.80	118	44	7	30
16	Charleston, SC	55.70	42	25	66	111
17	Richmond, VA	55.02	68	35	118	17
17	Pembroke Pines, FL	55.02	58	91	17	54
19	Sioux Falls, SD	54.80	34	151	61	3
20	Cape Coral, FL	54.52	23	73	18	122
21	Tempe, AZ	54.22	110	46	36	42
22	St. Louis, MO	54.18	43	18	181	41
23	Cheyenne, WY	53.96	2	142	54	104
24	Austin, TX	53.89	55	28	71	107
25	Columbia, MD	53.83	138	79	4	5
26	Bismarck, ND	53.10	87	147	33	16
27	Akron, OH	53.08	48	59	100	47
28	Columbia, SC	53.02	27	92	68	77
29	Hialeah, FL	52.82	56	96	22	58
30	Virginia Beach, VA	52.76	60	80	40	37
31	St. Paul, MN	52.72	94	32	86	66
32	Philadelphia, PA	52.63	124	33	64	45
33	Rapid City, SD	52.43	47	109	161	10
34	Nashua, NH	52.39	96	103	105	9
35	West Valley City, UT	52.38	99	51	84	73
36	San Francisco, CA	52.31	173	1	41	78
37	Missoula, MT	52.09	125	39	167	4
38	San Diego, CA	52.05	156	12	10	87
39	Boise, ID	51.83	84	62	14	125
40	Portland, ME	51.70	131	22	58	82
41	Knoxville, TN	51.66	5	77	137	138
42	Glendale, CA	51.58	162	47	6	15
43	Salt Lake City, UT	51.50	99	10	165	96
44	Juneau, AK	51.50	90	53	116	36
45	Los Angeles, CA	51.41	160	17	15	52
46	Washington, DC	51.38	153	3	60	74
47	Jacksonville, FL	51.04	30	67	101	112
48	Tallahassee, FL	51.03	10	126	77	123
49	Cleveland, OH	50.94	83	55	154	20
50	Raleigh, NC	50.89	67	69	80	56
51	Reno, NV	50.87	37	66	43	155
52	San Antonio, TX	50.85	26	34	135	164
53	Fargo, ND	50.79	38	169	122	28
54	Overland Park, KS	50.77	127	123	57	26
55	Durham, NC	50.40	54	121	115	13
56	Long Beach, CA	50.30	160	29	19	40
57	Huntington Beach, CA	50.26	164	30	37	21
58	Dallas, TX	50.12	75	49	124	90
59	Charleston, WV	50.09	21	71	95	163
60	Henderson, NV	50.02	15	133	13	160
61	Birmingham, AL	49.90	29	43	169	132
62	Brownsville, TX	49.86	1	178	83	158
63	Jackson, MS	49.68	20	97	145	134
64	Port St. Lucie, FL	49.61	24	152	81	105
65	Colorado Springs, CO	49.44	74	106	39	81
66	Chandler, AZ	49.28	110	102	38	53
67	Lexington-Fayette, KY	49.23	104	146	9	34
68	Columbus, OH	49.19	103	93	45	50
69	New Orleans, LA	49.15	119	11	170	137
70	Norfolk, VA	49.09	60	82	109	65
71	Louisville, KY	49.06	106	57	59	113
72	Fort Worth, TX	49.05	45	78	56	151
73	Portland, OR	49.02	145	15	96	103
73	Irvine, CA	49.02	164	50	25	11
75	Manchester, NH	49.02	101	145	73	22
76	Grand Rapids, MI	48.87	98	61	114	100
77	Dover, DE	48.83	50	95	176	64
78	Chesapeake, VA	48.82	60	161	34	44
79	Cedar Rapids, IA	48.79	72	156	47	106
80	Honolulu, HI	48.78	180	14	2	61
81	Tucson, AZ	48.76	82	37	90	161
82	Plano, TX	48.74	95	99	31	86
83	Little Rock, AR	48.64	51	122	160	46
84	Chattanooga, TN	48.48	14	131	156	126
85	Phoenix, AZ	48.40	110	42	108	115
86	Gilbert, AZ	48.15	110	124	30	69
87	Milwaukee, WI	48.06	86	41	175	72
88	Peoria, AZ	48.06	110	107	62	92
89	Anchorage, AK	47.98	77	89	92	98
89	Mobile, AL	47.98	19	86	142	166
91	North Las Vegas, NV	47.83	15	140	78	156
92	Sacramento, CA	47.81	140	36	35	121
93	Grand Prairie, TX	47.64	78	141	42	117
94	Boston, MA	47.61	179	27	24	18
95	Houston, TX	47.50	35	52	168	154
96	Chicago, IL	47.50	143	20	127	91
97	Nampa, ID	47.40	84	166	21	141
98	Las Cruces, NM	47.29	65	148	75	147
99	Garden Grove, CA	47.22	164	64	32	32
100	Albuquerque, NM	47.13	71	60	148	124
101	Garland, TX	47.07	78	128	51	128
102	Huntington, WV	46.98	22	165	112	159
103	Oklahoma City, OK	46.84	49	76	146	142
104	Des Moines, IA	46.60	66	153	72	119
105	Baton Rouge, LA	46.56	89	48	162	136
106	Mesa, AZ	46.55	110	104	65	109
107	Aurora, CO	46.48	91	134	149	24
108	Springfield, MO	46.45	28	114	173	139
109	Charlotte, NC	46.37	73	120	88	116
110	Kansas City, MO	46.32	88	75	158	80
111	Santa Ana, CA	46.31	164	58	53	33
112	Fort Wayne, IN	46.28	46	143	91	114
113	Huntsville, AL	46.24	39	158	52	171
114	El Paso, TX	46.18	7	125	76	177
115	Buffalo, NY	46.13	133	45	107	120
116	Anaheim, CA	46.05	164	85	23	25
117	Irving, TX	46.05	78	129	104	97
118	Glendale, AZ	45.99	110	84	119	85
119	Lewiston, ME	45.95	102	137	87	71
120	Rochester, NY	45.92	141	40	129	67
121	Winston-Salem, NC	45.89	36	149	98	135
122	Newport News, VA	45.88	60	157	82	129
123	Tulsa, OK	45.77	33	100	157	146
124	San Jose, CA	45.77	169	119	8	23
125	Toledo, OH	45.63	52	116	126	133
126	Arlington, TX	45.52	78	130	106	110
127	Billings, MT	45.45	120	162	125	38
128	Santa Clarita, CA	45.30	163	110	12	51
129	Memphis, TN	45.23	8	88	180	167
130	Corpus Christi, TX	45.15	12	112	141	174
131	New Haven, CT	45.09	150	139	144	1
132	Omaha, NE	45.00	128	98	128	48
133	Oakland, CA	44.73	154	38	117	68
134	Oceanside, CA	44.68	152	74	20	108
135	New York, NY	44.62	182	19	27	76
136	Aurora, IL	44.61	143	83	102	49
137	Nashville, TN	44.58	64	63	177	150
138	Augusta, GA	44.50	25	170	97	176
139	Yonkers, NY	44.50	177	65	55	14
140	Fremont, CA	44.27	173	113	5	62
141	Amarillo, TX	44.18	13	171	134	173
142	South Burlington, VT	44.16	170	108	138	2
143	Burlington, VT	44.03	170	70	147	8
144	Seattle, WA	43.93	178	26	50	84
145	Gulfport, MS	43.56	32	81	178	179
146	Shreveport, LA	43.42	76	168	131	130
147	Fayetteville, NC	43.34	18	132	152	178
148	Providence, RI	43.27	148	54	132	94
149	Indianapolis, IN	43.26	97	111	174	75
150	Oxnard, CA	43.23	142	138	46	83
151	Laredo, TX	43.17	4	179	94	182
152	Lubbock, TX	43.13	6	144	151	175
153	Baltimore, MD	43.08	138	56	171	70
154	Lincoln, NE	42.89	147	115	49	63
155	Columbus, GA	42.50	44	167	67	180
156	Jersey City, NJ	42.36	172	90	63	59
157	Salem, OR	42.32	105	173	110	131
158	Worcester, MA	42.26	146	118	121	79
159	Montgomery, AL	42.17	11	155	164	181
160	Fort Smith, AR	41.96	31	160	159	170
161	Chula Vista, CA	41.79	156	163	11	89
162	Greensboro, NC	41.72	53	127	179	144
163	Moreno Valley, CA	41.23	132	180	103	153
164	Vancouver, WA	41.19	155	94	143	60
165	Santa Rosa, CA	40.68	176	105	16	127
166	Modesto, CA	40.62	122	181	69	169
167	Spokane, WA	40.53	130	150	155	102
168	Tacoma, WA	40.52	158	68	150	99
169	Warwick, RI	40.35	148	117	136	95
170	Ontario, CA	40.24	137	159	113	148
171	Pearl City, HI	39.98	180	164	1	101
172	Riverside, CA	39.73	135	135	130	140
173	Fontana, CA	39.10	136	174	93	157
174	Wichita, KS	38.98	107	136	166	165
175	Bridgeport, CT	38.48	175	154	153	19
176	Fresno, CA	38.40	108	175	140	162
177	Detroit, MI	38.27	129	101	182	152
178	Newark, NJ	38.18	159	87	163	118
179	Bakersfield, CA	37.41	109	182	123	168
180	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	37.26	151	177	85	143
181	Stockton, CA	36.92	134	176	133	145
182	San Bernardino, CA	35.71	126	172	172	172

Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-to-retire/6165

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