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James Island, South Carolina Retirement Guide
established retirement community
50
Retirement Score
James Island, South Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $416,300
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
- Avg January Low
- N/A
- Cost of Living Index
- 93.3 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 50 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
93.3 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$416,300High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$2,009High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)Data not available
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
37.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access ScoreData not available
Climate
Avg July HighData not available
Avg January LowData not available
Annual PrecipitationData not available
Sunny Days / YearData not available
Safety
Safety Score
78.1 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
13 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
11,689High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
41.4High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
17.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$95,364High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
86.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
10.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
51.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
4.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
85.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
10.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
1.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
0.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in James Island using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$902
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,013
Median home price used: $416,300
Median rent reference: $2,009 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.