All three states are located in the southern United States, and retirees are happy to head there.
Whether you’re in retirement or nearing retirement, it’s natural for people to find a new place to live. After all, life circumstances, and the resulting needs and desires, can change dramatically once the sunset year approaches.
These days, American retirees are moving to southern states for the best combination of price, comfort, and care. This is according to the latest annual report published by moving service provider HireAHelper.com on where people of retirement age move and, perhaps more importantly, where they stay.
Let’s identify the three most popular destinations of recent activity based on net migration of people 65 and older and determine why retirees are flocking there.
1. South Carolina (2025 net migration: 5,427)
U.S. home prices in 2025 grew at the slowest annual rate since 2011 (1.3%), but are still relatively high on a historical basis. Retirees often have limited budgets, so the affordability of homes and other real estate is often a key consideration when deciding where to live.
This is one of the key factors that makes South Carolina so attractive to immigrants age 65 and older. According to Motley Fool Money’s research report, “Average Home Prices by State to 2026,” the Eastern Seaboard states had the lowest average home price in the fourth quarter of 2025 at $297,117. This combines well with the warm climate, which is always appealing to retirees, especially those who spent years in the colder climates of the north, and the beaches and communities that dot the state’s coast.
Another positive item for South Carolina is its favorable tax system. Income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes are all modest compared to popular and populous states like New York and California.
Finally, one of the important items on the minds of many older Americans is medical costs. South Carolina also performs well in this category. According to data compiled by World Population Review, the state boasts the eighth-lowest per capita personal health spending of all states at $8,766 (by comparison, it’s not far from winner Utah’s $7,522 and well below New York’s $14,007).
2. Texas (2025 net migration: 5,156)
Elsewhere in the South, retirees who move around Texas often settle there, making Texas the second-largest state in net migration last year. In contrast to South Carolina, data analyzed by HireAHelper.com reveals that people moving to South Carolina come from all over the United States (most of the net arrivals were from neighboring states like Georgia).
Although home prices can be high in certain areas of Texas, the state is large and covers a large area, so you can find great deals even in smaller communities. As a result, the median home price is even lower than in South Carolina at a less intimidating $294,786. On the other hand, many of these budget-friendly neighborhoods are within easy reach of major urban centers like Houston and Austin.
The Lone Star State also has no personal state income tax, which may be attractive to people looking to secure as much income as possible from retirement sources (Social Security contributions, pensions, etc.).
Retirees who choose Texas can choose from several communities that suit their population. In fact, The Motley Fool’s “50 Best Places to Retire in America in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most” features five locations in the state. Of these, Dallas County’s final retirement score was 57, far behind the report’s ranking of #1 retirement in the nation (Broward County, Florida, with 64).
3. North Carolina (2025 net immigration: 3,202)
Rounding out our trio is the Carolinas, another state that balances pricier real estate and lower income tax rates than its neighbor to the south. Additionally, per capita personal health spending is only slightly higher at $8.917. However, like South Carolina, it has an attractive combination of Atlantic coastline and favorable climate, making it an attractive location for many retirees.
North Carolina’s government is also focused on settling older Americans within the state’s borders. We have marked many areas in the state as Certified Retirement Communities, and these areas meet three criteria that are at the top of retiree wish lists:
These areas are within 30 miles of hospitals and other emergency medical services, and the state has drafted what it calls a “comprehensive plan mapping long-term efforts to enrich the quality of life for retired adults,” with local organizations including businesses and media companies working to support residents 55 and older.
North Carolina also appears in the Motley Fool’s 50 Best Places to Retire. Buncombe County, in the southwestern part of the state, placed 38th with a final retirement score of 51. Buncombe is home to the highly acclaimed city of Asheville, nestled in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Retirees who settle in Asheville enjoy the many diverse cultural activities the city has to offer, as well as easy access to some of the area’s best natural attractions.
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