Texas no income tax vs SC Horry County tax stack, Hill Country vs Grand Strand, and the financial comparison most buyers do not run until it is too late
| Factor | Austin / San Antonio TX | Myrtle Beach SC |
|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | None | SC low effective rate w/ senior deductions |
| Property Tax Rate | ~2.0–2.5% effective (no cap equivalent) | Horry Co. — sub-0.3% effective at 65+ w/ all exemptions |
| Annual Property Tax ($500K home) | ~$10,000–$12,500/yr | ~$1,000–$1,800/yr (65+ primary, all exemptions) |
| Long-Term Cap | TX homestead limits increases to 10%/yr assessed (not market) | No equivalent — but starting rate is so low the cap matters less |
| CDD Fees | Common in master-planned communities | None in Horry County |
| Beach Access | None — Gulf Coast 3+ hrs | Atlantic Ocean — 5–15 min from most communities |
| Climate | Hot dry summers (100°F+ Jun–Sep), mild winters | Hot humid summers, mild winters, hurricane risk |
| Entry 55+ Price | ~$350K (Sun City Georgetown) | ~$200K (Myrtle Trace) |
| HOA Range | ~$150–$350/mo | ~$180–$310/mo (comparable) |
| Cultural Depth | Austin music, food, UT — strong | Limited tourist-oriented |
| Healthcare | Strong Austin / San Antonio metro system | Coastal Carolina; Charleston 90 min |
This comparison is primarily a property tax story. Texas has no income tax — same as Florida — but compensates with high effective property tax rates and no equivalent to South Carolina's Horry County exemption stack. A $500K home in Williamson County TX (Georgetown / Sun City) pays approximately $10,000–$12,500/year in property tax. The same value home in Horry County SC with all 65+ exemptions applied pays approximately $1,000–$1,800/year. The annual difference of $8,000–$11,000 is the largest property tax differential of any two markets we cover side by side. Over 20 years, that gap is $160,000–$220,000. Austin wins on income tax (zero vs SC's modest effective rate) and Hill Country lifestyle and cultural depth. Myrtle Beach wins decisively on property tax, beach access, and total annual housing cost.
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