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Carolina Forest, South Carolina Retirement Guide
established retirement community
41
Retirement Score
Carolina Forest, South Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $281,500
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
- Avg January Low
- 36.1°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 93.3 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 41 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
93.3 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$281,500High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,411High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated August 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated August 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
0 / 100Medium confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
33.5 / 100Medium confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
0 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information (no in-city hospital listed) · Updated August 2026
Climate
Avg July High
90.6°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Avg January Low
36.1°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Annual Precipitation
41.7"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Sunny Days / Year
297 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated August 2026
Safety
Safety Score
78.1 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
5 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
24,823High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Median Age
37.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Age 65+
18.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Median Household Income
$66,955High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
69.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Veterans
6.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
34.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Poverty Rate
14.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Diversity
White
80.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Black
8.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Hispanic/Latino
7.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
Asian
2.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated August 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Carolina Forest using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$610
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$685
Median home price used: $281,500
Median rent reference: $1,411 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.