News Summary
Greenville, South Carolina, has been honored as one of the best places to retire in 2025 by Forbes. The city stands out for its affordability and quality of life, boasting a median home price significantly lower than the national average. The recognition comes after a comprehensive analysis of various factors including state taxes, healthcare access, and climate, making Greenville an attractive option for retirees looking for a budget-friendly yet vibrant community to settle in.
Greenville Named a Top Retirement Destination by Forbes for 2025
Greenville, South Carolina, has been officially recognized as one of the “Best Places to Retire in 2025” according to a recent evaluation by Forbes. The announcement, made on May 9, 2025, ranks Greenville among 950 locations evaluated for their affordability and quality of life.
As of now, the median price of single-family homes in the United States stands at $404,000, reflecting a staggering 50% increase since 2020. In contrast, Greenville offers a much more affordable environment, with its median home price at $317,000—approximately 22% lower than the national average. Additionally, the overall cost of living in Greenville is 9% below the national average, making it an attractive option for retirees.
Evaluative Factors
Forbes assessed various factors to establish its rankings, including state taxes, economic conditions, air quality, serious crime rates, availability of primary care doctors, and opportunities for active lifestyles. Other cities that also made it onto the list alongside Greenville are Fargo, North Dakota, which has been featured for 15 consecutive years, and various others like Apache Junction (AZ), Columbia (MO), and Iowa City (IA).
Greenville is characterized as a “hilly college town” with a population of around 75,000, conveniently located in the Blue Ridge Mountains region, sitting between Atlanta and Charlotte. The area’s healthcare access is notably strong, with an excellent ratio of primary care doctors available to residents. Furthermore, the city enjoys a pleasantly agreeable climate, a moderate level of walkability and bikeability, as well as good air quality. Notably, there is no estate or inheritance tax in the state of South Carolina, enhancing its appeal for retirees.
Community Highlights
Forbes highlighted several community features that contribute to Greenville’s charm, including Falls Park in downtown, which encompasses a 32-acre area overlooking the scenic Reedy River Falls. Although some parts of the area are susceptible to flooding during severe weather events, such as Tropical Storm Helene, Greenville has a favorable risk rating from FEMA due to its inland location, situated 200 miles from the coastline.
While the city boasts many benefits, it is important to note that the serious crime rate is above the national average. On the tax front, South Carolina imposes an income tax rate of 6.2% for couples, although there is no taxation on Social Security income. Moreover, retirees can exempt up to $10,000 per person in other retirement income, which may help counterbalance the state tax burden.
Real-Life Experiences
Individuals contemplating a move to Greenville often find stories like that of Andy and Doreen Costa particularly inspiring. The couple moved to the Greenville area from California in 2023, selling their home which had appreciated sixfold since they purchased it. Upon relocating, they bought a significantly larger property in Greenville for a fraction of the price they received for their California home, now residing there comfortably with their daughter and grandchildren.
Previous Accolades
Travel + Leisure also ranked Greenville as the best place to retire in South Carolina the previous year, solidifying its reputation as an ideal location for those looking to transition into retirement.
The comprehensive evaluation methodology applied by Forbes deemed essential various elements including housing costs, state taxes, healthcare access, crime rates, air quality, climate change risk, and numerous other aspects contributing to an overall quality of life.
As the retirement landscape continues to evolve, Greenville’s recognition by Forbes serves as a significant indicator of its growing appeal among retirees seeking affordability coupled with a high quality of living.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- The State
- Online Athens
- Forbes – Tax Breaks for Retirement
- Financial Express
- Wikipedia: Retirement
- Google Search: Greenville retirement
- Google Scholar: Retirement places
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Retirement
- Google News: Top places to retire
