Pawleys Island, SC 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Pawleys Island is a small town on a barrier Island in coastal South Carolina. During the summer the area is busy with tourists but year round residents on the island number less than 150. Pawleys Island retirement communities are popular due to the natural beauty of the area and the abundant recreational opportunities which include golfing, crabbing, kayaking, birdwatching, and more.  

Cost of Living & Taxes

As a coastal town it is not surprising to find that the average cost of living in Pawleys Island is higher than elsewhere in the state and the nation as a whole. The only exception is in transportation costs which are significantly less than the state or national averages. 

Pawleys Island is in Georgetown County where the average property tax is 0.46%. Pawleys Island sales tax is 6% consists of just state sales tax, there are no city or county taxes in Pawleys Island. South Carolina has a variable state income tax that ranges from 3 to 6.5%. Social Security is not taxed and those over 65 can exclude up to $10,000 in retirement income. 

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

There are a variety of leisure options for active adults in the Pawleys Island area, including: 

Art & performances

• Island Art Gallery

Historical sites and museums

• Atalaya Castle

Outdoor activities

• Pawleys Island has nine golf clubs within five miles of the island. 
• The Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
• Pawleys Island Nature Park

Other activities

• Lowcountry Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens

Climate

The Pawleys Island area sees about 42 inches of rain per year, much of it falling during the month of August. Average winter temperatures range from 42° to 55°. Summer in Pawleys Island is hot and humid with summer temperatures averaging between 76° and 86° with 78% humidity. Average snowfall in Pawleys Island is half an inch with the highest chance of snow during the month of February.  

Health Care

The closest hospitals to Pawleys Island are: 

Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet which is 9 miles from Pawleys Island. The hospital has 124 beds and has received awards for joint replacement by U.S. News & World Report, has been recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital is a 131 bed hospital in Georgetown, 10 miles from Pawleys Island. Tidelands Georgetown is Joint Commission certified in joint replacement and spinal surgery. The hospital is also certified as an advanced primary stroke center by the Joint Commission.

Conway Medical Center in Conway is 24 miles from Pawley Island. Conway Medical Center has 222 beds and is accredited and recognized by the College of American Pathologists, American Association of Respiratory Care, and Healogics.