Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTDavid BerenSun, August 23, 2026 at 7:39 PM GMT+2 6 min readQuick ReadA 65-year-old on average Social Security needs just $125,000 invested to bridge the gap to $2,500 a month in Myrtle Beach.Coastal wind, flood, and hazard insurance stacks to between $6,000 and $9,000 annually, consuming up to 30% of a $30,000 retirement budget.Early retirees between ages 55 and 60 who lack Social Security income need between $800,000 and $900,000 and must engineer an ACA healthcare bridge before relocating.Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.A common question is whether you can retire near the ocean on modest money. South Carolina taxes lightly, the Grand Strand stays warm, and $2,500 a month, which is roughly the average Social Security check plus a small supplement, feels like it ought to stretch pretty far. The real question is whether the math actually holds once you price in coastal reality. It can, but only under specific choices, and the trap most planners overlook involves coastal insurance costs rather than everyday expenses.What $2,500 a Month Actually Buys in Myrtle BeachStart with housing, because that really decides everything else. A one-bedroom rental in Myrtle Beach averages around $1,384 to $1,395 a month, and the broader market rent sits near $1,629. Buying only makes sense if the place is already paid off. The median list price in the area runs about $269,000 to $325,000, and financing that today would blow the budget out of the water. A paid-off condo or manufactured home inside the city drops shelter costs down to taxes, insurance, HOA, and upkeep._________________________________What's Your Number...?Here's a question most people 5y from retirement can't answer: at your current savings rate, how much do you need, and how long will it actually last? A good advisor can put a date on that in a single meeting. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with up to three fiduciary advisors serving your area, so you can get YOUR retirement number now (sponsor)__________________________________________Sean Pavone / Getty ImagesNow for taxes, Horry County assesses owner-occupied primary residences at a 4% ratio rather than 6%, which materially lowers the bill for anyone who files the legal residence application. A $250,000 primary home typically lands between $1,000 and $1,600 a year in property tax. Coastal homeowners policies in the Myrtle Beach area commonly run $1,800 to $6,500 or more, and that is before you even look at separate wind and flood coverage.Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info