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Nestled between Charleston and Columbia, Orangeburg, SC, is an idyllic town that provides seniors with ample access to urban areas while still offering a small, peaceful community. Orangeburg is home to nearly 12,500 people, 15% aged 65 or older, who enjoy an overall cost of living that’s over 28% less than the national average. Retirees benefit from several income tax breaks specifically for seniors, including untaxed Social Security benefits and military retirement income. Taxpayers aged 65 or older can also exclude up to $10,000 of retirement income and $15,000 from other taxable income such as private pension or IRA withdrawals. These amounts double for joint filers.
Assisted living communities may appeal to relatively self-sufficient aging adults who don’t require extensive nursing care and personal care assistance but want to live in a residential care setting. Seniors can expect to pay about $2,663 for assisted living in Orangeburg according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, which is much less than the national average.
This guide offers an overview of assisted living in Orangeburg, including how its costs compare to other cities in South Carolina. It also provides a list of free or low-cost senior resources.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in South Carolina. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Orangeburg’s average cost of assisted living is $2,663 per month, but the actual amount varies based on the housing options, amenities and services offered at each facility.
Orangeburg has the lowest average assisted living cost statewide at $2,663 per month. This is nearly $1,000 less than the state average and more than $1,800 lower than the national average.
Columbia is closest in cost to Orangeburg’s assisted living average but at $3,270, it’s still higher by $607 per month. Orangeburg’s cost is also lower than Spartanburg’s cost of $3,600 by $937 and less than Charleston’s average of $3,945 by $1,282. Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island have the highest assisted living costs statewide at $4,070 and $4,500, making them more than Orangeburg by $1,407 and $1,837, respectively.
Note: Data for Orangeburg was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Sumter, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in South Carolina.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Veterans Affairs Office of Orangeburg County | (803) 533-6156 | The VA Office helps veterans and their dependents complete and file applications to determine their eligibility and entitlement to benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Assistance may include coordinating rides to the VA Medical Center, recording and maintaining forms and coordinating with other state and local agencies to render aid to veterans. |
| South Carolina Legal Services Corporation | (866) 845-1550 | The long-term care ombudsman advocates for residents of long-term facilities, such as assisted living. Ombudsmen are often volunteers trained to provide information to residents and their families, investigate complaints and help mediate issues they’re having with a facility. They perform routine visits to residential care facilities, ensuring residents understand their rights. |
| South Carolina Department on Aging | (800) 868-9095 | SCDOA strives to enhance the lives of seniors throughout South Carolina by working with local and regional organizations to develop and manage programs and services that help aging adults retain their independence in home and community settings. Its GetCareSC.com website matches seniors to locate transportation and nutrition services in their area. |
| Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg Community Action Agency | (803) 536-1027 ext. 115 or 116 | The OCAB Community Action Agency administers the Senior Companion Program, a volunteer for adults aged 55 or older to help other older adults who may be at risk of losing their independence. Volunteers provide friendship, comfort and some assistance in clients’ homes in Orangeburg, Calhoun and Bamberg counties. |
| South Carolina Senior Citizen Education and Elder Learning | N/A | SCIWAY offers a comprehensive list of senior programs at two-year and four-year colleges and universities throughout the state. South Carolina law provides tuition exemption for residents aged 60 and older, so they may take classes at state colleges with only nominal fees. Seniors can usually take any class the school offers but many schools also offer specialized senior learning programs. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Orangeburg area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
