Mayo Clinic and St. Johns County vs Horry County tax stack and Grand Strand — the full honest comparison
| Factor | Jacksonville | Myrtle Beach — 55+ Community Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| State | Florida (no income tax) | South Carolina (low income tax) |
| State Income Tax on SS | None | None |
| Property Tax Structure | Millage + $50K homestead + Save Our Homes 3% cap | Horry Co. 4% ratio + $50K homestead + school mill exemption |
| CDD Fees | Yes — at Nocatee communities ($1,500–$3,500/yr) | No CDD fees in Horry County |
| Entry Price | ~$280K (Cascades WGV) | ~$200K (Myrtle Trace, Conway) |
| Premium Price | $900K+ (Del Webb Nocatee) | $700K+ (Del Webb Grande Dunes) |
| Beach Access | Atlantic — 10 min (Nocatee) | Atlantic — 5–10 min (North MB Del Webbs) |
| World-Class Healthcare | ✓ Mayo Clinic — 20 min from Nocatee | Complex cases to Charleston (90 min) |
| Historic City Proximity | St. Augustine — 25 min | Limited — Charleston 90 min |
| Hurricane Risk | Northeast FL — moderate | Grand Strand — moderate to higher |
| HOA Range | ~$180–$420/mo | ~$180–$310/mo (generally lower) |
| Competitor Research Coverage | Zero (55places: 0 results) | Zero (55places: 0 results) |
Both markets are wide open competitively — 55places returns 0 results for both Jacksonville and Myrtle Beach. The key differences: Jacksonville wins decisively on healthcare (Mayo Clinic 20 min from Nocatee vs 90 min to Charleston), cultural access (St. Augustine 25 min), and the Save Our Homes long-term tax cap. Myrtle Beach wins on HOA costs, the Horry County 3-layer property tax stack (which produces very low effective rates at 65+), and generally lower total annual housing cost. For buyers prioritizing healthcare and cultural access, Jacksonville is the better market. For buyers optimizing for lowest annual cost, Myrtle Beach often wins.
Have questions about what you're reading? A specialist can walk you through real costs, honest comparisons, and what's actually available right now — free, no obligation.
Talk to a Specialist →Tell us your priorities and we will give you a straight comparison for your specific situation.
We connect buyers with agents who know this market from the inside — real cost math, honest comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder. No scripts, no pressure.
Connect with a specialist who knows this market from the inside — real cost math, honest community comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder.
Connect with a Specialist →