Metro

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Metro Retirement Score

Myrtle Beach stands out for climate comfort and retiree fit, though coastal risk is the main long-term tradeoff.

Overall Retirement Score
60
Around average

Quick takeaway

Best for: mild weather, retiree fit, coastal Southeast living

Think twice if: lower coastal risk matters most, stronger healthcare depth is essential

Score breakdown

Affordability
37
Expensive for retirees
Healthcare Access
58
Around average
Climate Comfort
83
Strong
Disaster Risk
39
Below average
Air Quality
61
Around average
Retiree Fit
79
Above average

At a glance

Median rent
$1,181
Median home value
$287,700
Age 65+
24%
Climate
Mild winters, hot humid summers
Healthcare
Around average
Risk
Elevated coastal exposure
Air quality
Around average

Good fit for

Retirees who want a coastal Southeast metro with strong retiree appeal and mild winters.

Less ideal for

Retirees who want lower risk or a stronger healthcare market.

Biggest strengths

  • Climate comfort is a standout category.
  • Retiree fit is one of the clearest strengths.
  • Affordability is more workable than in some coastal peers.

Biggest tradeoffs

  • Disaster risk is the main weakness.
  • Healthcare access is more limited than in larger metros.

Affordability

Myrtle Beach scores around average to above average for affordability within the coastal retirement context.

Healthcare Access

Healthcare access is around average and more limited than in deeper regional metros.

Climate Comfort

Climate comfort is one of the metro’s strongest categories.

Disaster Risk

Disaster risk is weak because coastal exposure is the major tradeoff.

Air Quality

Air quality is around average and more neutral than decisive.

Retiree Fit

Retiree fit is strong and one of the biggest reasons to consider the metro.

Similar places to consider

Wilmington, North Carolina Metro

Similar for key retirement tradeoffs, but with a different mix of cost, climate, risk, or healthcare.

Savannah, Georgia Metro

Similar for key retirement tradeoffs, but with a different mix of cost, climate, risk, or healthcare.

Punta Gorda, Florida Metro

Similar for key retirement tradeoffs, but with a different mix of cost, climate, risk, or healthcare.

How to interpret this retirement score

Use the overall score as a quick summary, then look at the category scores to see whether affordability, healthcare access, climate comfort, air quality, disaster risk, or retiree fit is driving the result. A place can still be a good fit for you even if one category is a clear tradeoff.

Best next step after this page

Use compare pages when you have two realistic finalists. If you are still building the shortlist, use the related rankings and the broader state page to find nearby or similarly ranked alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

Is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Metro affordable for retirees?

Myrtle Beach scores around average to above average for affordability within the coastal retirement context.

What is the biggest retirement tradeoff here?

Disaster risk is the main weakness.

What to do next

Use this page as a narrowing step, then compare it directly against nearby or similarly ranked counties and metros. The overall score is the summary; the category scores explain the tradeoffs.