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Assisted Living in South Carolina

Reviewed by BoomersHub Senior Living AdvisorsUpdated

Compare communities across 133 cities and 16 counties. South Carolina averages $5,350 per month for assisted living, and BoomersHub advisors help you shortlist, confirm pricing, and book tours for free.

Why families choose South Carolina

South Carolina has a warm, subtropical climate and draws retirees for a fast-growing retiree destination along the coast with strong Charleston and Greenville medical hubs. Communities cluster across Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, from small residential care homes to full-campus senior-living properties. This guide walks through what assisted living in South Carolina costs, how families pay for it, the state's licensing rules, and how to shortlist communities without doing the legwork alone.

Find the best assisted living facilities in South Carolina

Start with a major metro, or jump straight to your town in the A–Z directory. Every link opens that city's assisted living options.

133 cities · 16 counties

Browse assisted living by county

South Carolina compares to the states around it

The average cost of assisted living in South Carolina is $5,350 per month. Your actual rate depends on the city, apartment size, and level of care, which is what our advisors confirm for you before you tour.

Average monthly cost of assisted living

  • South Carolina$5,350
  • Florida$5,610
  • Georgia$5,300
  • North Carolina$6,496
  • Tennessee$5,845

State averages. Individual community rates vary by city, floor plan, and care level.

How assisted living compares to other senior care

Average monthly cost in South Carolina by care type. Tap any card to explore that care type across the state.

South Carolina state averages. Bars are scaled to the highest cost shown.

How to pay for assisted living in South Carolina

Most South Carolina families combine two or three of these. An advisor walks through which apply to your situation.

  • Option 1

    Private pay

    Many families pay for care with private funds: personal savings, pension payments, retirement accounts, or a combination of these and family contributions.

  • Option 2

    Selling your home

    Selling a parent's home can help finance assisted living, especially once the home is no longer occupied. Proceeds often fund several years of care.

  • Option 3

    Reverse mortgage

    Homeowners aged 62+ can convert part of their home equity into cash while retaining ownership, with no loan payments due while living in the home. A spouse may remain in the home while proceeds help pay for a partner's care.

  • Option 4

    Long-term care insurance

    LTC policies typically begin paying out when the policyholder needs help with two or more activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or eating. Check the policy's elimination period and daily benefit before counting on it.

  • Option 5

    Veteran's programs

    Veterans with at least 90 days of active duty (including one day during wartime) may qualify for VA benefits such as Aid & Attendance, which can add a monthly amount on top of a VA pension.

  • State program

    South Carolina Community Choices Waiver — South Carolina Medicaid

    South Carolina Medicaid can help eligible lower-income seniors offset assisted living costs through the Community Choices Waiver. The program does not pay room and board, and not every South Carolina community participates — confirm before you tour.

    South Carolina Community Choices Waiver details

Assisted living regulations in South Carolina

Every assisted living community in South Carolina is licensed and inspected by South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) — Bureau of Healthcare Quality. South Carolina licenses 1 settings — see the cards below for what each covers. Communities must meet standards for staffing, caregiver training, medication administration, and building safety, with managers and staff completing continuing in-service training each year.

Licensed by South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) — Bureau of Healthcare QualityWritten service plan for every resident1 license type
  • 01

    Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF)

    South Carolina's single ALF licence — apartment-style or home-based community providing meals, personal care, and 24-hour supervision.

Verify any South Carolina community

Free assisted living resources in South Carolina

What you should know about South Carolina

The South Carolina median for assisted living sits near the national average, driven by steady retiree in-migration and rising demand balanced by supply growth along the coast. Where a state lands depends on labour costs, cost of living, and the mix of urban vs rural communities. Your actual rate depends on the city, apartment size, and level of care — an advisor confirms current pricing for any community you're considering, free.

A South Carolina expert in your corner, at no cost

Searching South Carolina alone is overwhelming. Our advisors know the assisted living communities, the real pricing, and the availability across South Carolina, and they do the legwork for you.

  • A shortlist matched to your care needs, budget, and preferred South Carolina cities
  • Confirmed pricing and availability before you ever tour
  • Tours scheduled and move-in arrangements handled with your family
(877) 409-0666
  • 149South Carolina cities and counties covered on BoomersHub
  • 1,000+Families guided to the right community since 2019
  • $0Cost to you. Our service is completely free for families

Important resources about assisted living

Guides written for families starting the search, from first conversations to moving day.

FAQs related to assisted living

How can I get my parents into Assisted Living in South Carolina?

Start with an honest family conversation and a needs assessment from their physician. Tour two or three South Carolina communities together, ask about care levels and pricing, then complete the community's health assessment and residency agreement. A BoomersHub advisor can shortlist communities, confirm pricing, and schedule tours for free.

What is pet-friendly Assisted Living?

Pet-friendly Assisted Living communities welcome residents' cats, small dogs, or other companion animals, usually with size limits, a pet deposit, and the expectation that the resident or family can care for the pet. Ask each South Carolina community for its written pet policy before move-in.

What is the total number of Assisted Living facilities in the US?

Over 30,000 licensed Assisted Living communities across the United States, housing more than 800,000 residents (AHCA / NCAL industry data). Ranges from large resort-style campuses to small residential care homes.

Which states have the highest number of Assisted Living facilities?

Large states lead the count: California, Florida, and Texas consistently rank among the top states for the number of licensed Assisted Living communities.

What are the cheapest states to live in as a senior?

Southern and Midwestern states consistently rank among the most affordable for Assisted Living — Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota all sit well below the national median. New England, the West Coast, and Alaska are the expensive end.

What is the average age of a Assisted Living resident?

The average Assisted Living resident is in their mid-80s. A typical resident needs help with 2 or 3 daily activities — bathing, dressing, medication management. Many move in after living alone became difficult rather than after a single medical event.

Can you keep pets in Assisted Living facilities?

Many South Carolina communities allow pets — most commonly cats and small dogs, subject to the community's pet policy. Expect size or breed limits, a pet deposit, and a check that the resident or family can handle daily pet care.

Do the total costs of Assisted Living include medical care?

Usually not. The base monthly rate typically covers housing, meals, housekeeping, activities, and help with daily activities. Medical services (doctor visits, therapy, medications) are billed separately, often through Medicare or private insurance. Ask each community exactly where its rate ends and medical billing begins.

Do Assisted Living communities allow visitors?

Yes. Family and friends are welcome at South Carolina Assisted Living communities, subject to reasonable visiting hours and sign-in policies. Many communities also host family dinners, holiday events, and overnight guest options.

Does South Carolina Medicaid pay for Assisted Living?

Partially. South Carolina Medicaid programs (HCBS waivers) can cover personal-care services in participating Assisted Living facilities for eligible lower-income seniors. Waivers do not pay for room and board, and not every community participates, so confirm before touring.

What families say about South Carolina

Inlet Oaks is the finest assisted living facility on the beach. This is because my mom lives there. Kristi, the Administrator, is a wonderful and kind person. Staff is amazing with lots of love and smiles. It is beautiful and clean inside. I am grateful to you all for taking such good care of my mom. It will be the best decision for your loved one.

Inlet Oaks Assisted Living Community · Murrells Inlet

My grandparents moved to this area and I was very happy for them. We placed them here because of their medical conditions and the lack of family nearby. Their care staff and the many activities my grandparents engage in was amazing! I remember visiting them for the first time. Knowing that my grandparents are cared for and loved at Brightwater made me feel so much better!

Brightwater · Myrtle Beach

I have been in skilled nursing for two weeks now and cannot speak highly enough of the staff. The food is delicious. Therapy is excellent. Because the activities are so much fun, it is impossible to get bored. I recommend Summit Hills!

Summit Hills · Spartanburg

I do not regret my decision to move to Southern Oaks. I love this place and the people so much. They are precious gems for me. Thank you for the love and support.

Southern Oaks Personal Care Home · Greenville

Amazing Assisted Living Environments, Excellent Care!

The Pines at Columbia Assisted Living Community · West Columbia

It is hard to express how much I love this place. My dad, who has alzheimer’s (final stages), has lived there for seven months. I know this because he was a gunner. My dad has made a huge difference and my mom is grateful. She still feels guilty, but it is a great comfort to know that he is well cared for. Everybody there is kind and helpful, regardless of their jobs. This place was made for alzheimer’s. He is happy because he walks, and the halls never end. It is amazing to see the different lighting colors and names of the areas. The common areas are huge and offer lots of activities. We don't tolerate smells, which is huge. If you have any questions, I'm easy to reach. This place is highly recommended by my entire family.

Brookstone Terrace of Simpsonville · Simpsonville

Explore assisted living in nearby states

Find the right South Carolina community, without the guesswork

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