A New History in the Making

South Carolina is an enticing blend of old and new, from abundant natural wonders and pre-Colonial historic sites to upscale vacation destinations and premier master-planned communities.

6% personal income tax rate

There are no estate or inheritance taxes, nor are Social Security benefits subject to taxation.

South Carolina’s cost of living is about 12.5% below the national average.

South Carolina’s average effective property tax rate is 0.55% or about $550 for every $100,000 in home value. Residents aged 65 and older qualify for a homestead exemption on the first $50,000 of their property’s fair market value.

Visitors are flocking to South Carolina again this year. And, if the trends of recent decades continue, a significant number will return to work, to study, to train, and to retire in a friendly state that welcomes new residents.

South Carolina’s four distinctive regions share a climate that’s nearly perfect for year-round outdoor recreation: The Pee Dee with its 60-mile Grand Strand oceanfront, the Lowcountry anchored by historic Charleston and sunny barrier islands, the Midlands with lakes for boating and freshwater fishing, and the highland hiking trails of the Upstate.

The Palmetto State is also a major producer of fruits, vegetables, fresh seafood, and tangy barbecue. When you combine that good eating with reasonable living costs, top-rated medical services, and a dash of Southern hospitality, it’s easy to see why so many are writing the next chapter of their personal history in South Carolina.

Editor's Choice

Congaree National Park

NPS.gov/Congaree

Brookgreen Gardens

Located near the state capital of Columbia, Congaree National Park covers more than 40 square miles and preserves the nation’s largest remaining old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Visitors can kayak on the Congaree River, stay overnight at a primtive campsite, or hike one of several nature trails, including a 2.4-mile elevated boardwalk. Just south of Myrtle Beach is one of the Grand Strand’s most unique attractions. Brookgreen Gardens is a 9,100-acre site that includes more than 1,400 sculptures by American artists set amid expansive themed gardens, hiking trails, and an on-site zoo, plus the adjacent Huntington State Beach Park on the oceanfront.

Brookgreen.org

Upcountry Tours

The Upstate region of South Carolina offers a variety of routes for exploration, including the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway, a 112-mile road through the highlands with side trips to smalltown markets and pristine lakes. More adventurous travelers can hike the Foothills Trail, a 77-mile adventure through wilderness preserves, up mountain slopes, and around stunning waterfalls.

UpcountrySC.com