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| Ohio | Columbia / SC Midlands | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property tax (effective) | ~1.3% | ~0.5% | Clear SC win |
| Income tax (top rate) | ~3.1% (flat 2.75% in 2026) | 6% | Roughly a wash* |
| Social Security | Exempt | Exempt | Wash |
| Retirement income | Taxed (tiny ≤$200 credit) | $15K/person deduction at 65+ | SC edge |
| Estate / inheritance | None | None | Wash |
| Climate | Cold winters | Mild — short winter | SC win |
*Ohio's headline rate is lower, but Ohio taxes most pension/401(k)/IRA income with only a token credit, while South Carolina exempts Social Security and shelters up to $15,000 per person at 65+. For a retiree living mostly on Social Security plus moderate withdrawals, South Carolina can tax less despite the higher top rate; for a higher-income retiree, Ohio's low flat rate may be competitive. Run your own numbers.
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The honest headline: property tax and weather
Military retirees: a wash worth noting
Both states fully exempt military retirement pay, so if that's your pension, neither state taxes it — and South Carolina's Fort Jackson community makes the Midlands an easy cultural fit. See the SC retirement tax guide.
Where Ohio retirees tend to land
Value-minded Ohio movers gravitate to communities like Cross Creek and The Ponds at Cobblestone Park. Compare the carrying costs in the total-cost guide.
Sources: Ohio Department of Taxation (IT-1040, 2025); South Carolina Department of Revenue; Kiplinger and Tax Foundation property-tax data. General information, not tax advice.