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West Columbia, South Carolina Retirement Guide
69
Retirement Score
West Columbia, South Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $178,000
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
- Avg January Low
- 39.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 93.3 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- N/A
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 69 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
93.3 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$178,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$982High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
100 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
35.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
90.2°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Avg January Low
39.4°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Annual Precipitation
46.7"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Sunny Days / Year
304 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated June 2026
Safety
Safety Score
78.1 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
8.4 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0.3 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
17,459High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
37.3High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
20.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$52,648High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
56.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
7.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
36.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
14.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
67.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
17.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
11.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
3.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in West Columbia using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$386
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$433
Median home price used: $178,000
Median rent reference: $982 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.