Americans love South Carolina! And why wouldn’t you? From top-rated colleges to beautiful beaches, the Palmetto State has got it all.
The median home value for South Carolina is $361,900. The state scored 69/100 in quality of life. For a rich cultural experience, Columbia and Charleston are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in South Carolina.
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🏖️ 3 Reasons to Live in South Carolina
- Excellent Job Opportunities: South Carolina had 172,000 job openings in September 2023. Moreover, the state had a GDP of $226.42 billion in the previous year.
- Cheap Transportation: Due to low gas prices, transportation costs are quite affordable in South Carolina as compared to the rest of the country.
- Great Outdoors: South Carolina has beaches, lakes, and mountains that you can explore as an outdoor enthusiast.
Best Places to Live in South Carolina
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Charleston | 153,672 | $590,000 | $6,779 | 2.5% | 64/100 |
| 2. | Columbia | 139,698 | $262,000 | $6,347 | 2.9% | 57/100 |
| 3. | Myrtle Beach | 38,417 | $289,000 | $5,843 | 3.4% | 53/100 |
| 4. | Summerville | 51,617 | $335,000 | $6,626 | 3.4% | 64/100 |
| 5. | Greenville | 72,310 | $436,000 | $6,108 | 2.9% | 56/100 |
| 6. | Mount Pleasant | 94,545 | $796,000 | $6,887 | 2.5% | 64/100 |
| 7. | Rock Hill | 75,349 | $315,000 | $6,606 | 2.5% | 60/100 |
1. Charleston: Best Place for Beaches
| Home Value | ⬆️ 9.1% |
| Median Household Income | $83,891 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,779 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Charleston is among the best places to live in South Carolina if you love to surround yourself with beaches. The city boasts of church steeples from the 1700s and famous beaches like Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island. It also offers a lively nightlife.
However, the Holy City is slightly expensive, being a tourist spot and an economic hub. The cost of living is 4% higher than the state average, and the median home price is $590,000.
» Homes for Sale in Charleston, SC: Browse through thousands of listings in Charleston.
2. Columbia: Best Place for Art and History Enthusiasts
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.9% |
| Median Household Income | $54,095 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,347 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 57/100 |
Columbia is situated centrally in the state of South Carolina. The median home price in the capital city is $262,000. The cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. Growing industries like insurance, biotech, and software make it one of the best cities to live in South Carolina.
Apart from this, Soda City is home to the University of South Carolina and Fort Jackson Army Base. Moreover, you can visit the South Carolina State Museum and the Columbia Museum of Art.
» Homes for Sale in Columbia, SC: Find your dream home in Soda City.
3. Myrtle Beach: Best Place to Live on a Budget
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.4% |
| Median Household Income | $50,558 |
| Monthly Expenses | $5,843 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 53/100 |
Located on the coast, Myrtle Beach is one of the best towns to live in South Carolina. The median home price is $289,000, and the cost of living is 8% lower than the national average.
The Redneck Riviera is a hotspot for tourists and attracts 12 million to 20 million tourists every year. Moreover, the city offers ample employment opportunities in the hospitality, healthcare, and technology sectors.
» Homes for Sale in Myrtle Beach, SC: View thousands of listings in this tourist town.
4. Summerville: Best Place to Lead a Relaxed Life
| Home Value | ⬆️ 3.9% |
| Median Household Income | $73,712 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,626 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Summerville is just 25 miles away from Charleston and offers a laid-back lifestyle. The city has a median home price of $335,000. The cost of living is 1% lower than the national average.
The Flower Town in the Pines has an excellent job market with employers like Google, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Some of the fastest growing sectors are biosciences and logistics.
» Homes for Sale in Summerville, SC: Browse through thousands of listings in this idyllic town.
5. Greenville: Best Place to Live for Working Professionals
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.0% |
| Median Household Income | $65,519 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,108 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.9% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 56/100 |
The city rests on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The G-Vegas offers various outdoor activities like ziplining, whitewater rafting, etc. The median home price in Greenville is decent, at $436,000. Moreover, the cost of living is 9% lower than the national average.
The strong job market makes Greenville one of the best places to live in SC. Some of the major employers include BMW, IBM, General Electric, and Michelin.
» Homes for Sale in Greenville, SC: Get yourself a home in G-Vegas.
6. Mount Pleasant: Best Place to Raise a Family in South Carolina
| Home Value | ⬆️ 11.1% |
| Median Household Income | $115,167 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,887 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 64/100 |
Mount Pleasant is among the most sought-after cities in South Carolina. The housing market in the city is a bit steeper, with a median home price of $796,000. The cost of living is 14% higher than the national average.
Moreover, Mount P. has easy access to beaches along with excellent schools, restaurants, and other family-friendly amenities.
» Homes for Sale in Mount Pleasant, SC: View thousands of listings in this South Carolina city.
7. Rock Hill: Best Place to Live in South Carolina for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 5.4% |
| Median Household Income | $60,807 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,606 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% |
| Community Well-Being Score | 60/100 |
Rock Hill is one of the best places to move in South Carolina if you love nightlife. It is the fifth-biggest city in the state and boasts a variety of restaurants and parks.
The median home price in Rock Hill is $315,000, which is 22% lower than the national average. Healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing are among the growing industries in Rock Hill.
» Homes for Sale in Rock Hill, SC: Get yourself a home in Football City.
Best Places to Live in South Carolina for Families
Here are some of the good places to live in South Carolina for families:
- Hilton Head Island: The city is a paradise for beach-loving families. It has some of the best schools, such as Hilton Head Island High School. However, home prices are on the steeper side, with a median price of $687,000.
- Spartanburg: Home to multiple higher educational institutions, Spartanburg is one of the best towns in SC to live in. The cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. The automotive industry is among the major employers in the city.
Bottom Line
South Carolina is one of the best places to live in the US due to its low cost of living and pleasant weather. Moreover, agribusiness, aerospace, automotive, technology, and manufacturing are the growing industries in the state.
Apart from this, the median home price is $372,200, which is around 10% lower than the national average of $413,504.
It’s advisable to do your research before making a decision. You can browse properties online.
Find Homes For Sale by Type and Style in SC
Research Methodology
We considered different parameters to rank the best places in South Carolina. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in South Carolina and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: South Carolina Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[7]
Additionally, we have listed the good cities to live in South Carolina for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, and working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the cheapest place to live in SC?
Greenville and Myrtle Beach are some of the most economical cities to live in South Carolina.
Which is a costly neighborhood in South Carolina?
Mount Pleasant is among the costliest neighborhoods in South Carolina, with a median home price of $796,000.
Where does the richest person in South Carolina live?
The richest person in South Carolina, Robert Faith, lives in Charleston.
What is the nicest but cheapest place to live in South Carolina?
With a cost of living 8% below the national average, Myrtle Beach is the cheapest place to live in South Carolina.
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