South Carolina’s cost of living is 6% below the national average. With a low 3.9% unemployment rate, it is a great place to move to in 2024. Besides ample warm weather, it is also renowned for its beautiful beaches.
From Charleston’s historic charm to Greenville’s bustling downtown, South Carolina appeals to all age groups. It’s no wonder that 6,759 people moved to the Palmetto State in July 2024 alone. So don’t delay – browse through property listings across the best places to live in South Carolina and find your dream home today!
Best Places to Live in South Carolina in 2024
Here’s our ranking of the top places to live in South Carolina. We’ve considered the community well-being score, median home price, monthly expenses, and the population of the cities.
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Charleston | 155,369 | $650,000 | $7,474 | 64/100 |
| 2. | Columbia | 142,416 | $257,000 | $6,783 | 57/100 |
| 3. | Myrtle Beach | 39,697 | $283,000 | $6,484 | 53/100 |
| 4. | Summerville | 51,884 | $378,000 | $7,320 | 55/100 |
| 5. | Greenville | 72,824 | $480,000 | $6,692 | 56/100 |
| 6. | Mount Pleasant | 95,232 | $875,000 | $7,534 | 64/100 |
| 7. | Rock Hill | 75,654 | $351,750 | $7,090 | 56/100 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island | 38,097 | $730,000 | $7,631 | 59/100 |
| 9 | Spartanburg | 39,040 | $249,900 | $6,442 | 51/100 |
| 10 | Lexington | 24,921 | $358,000 | $6,835 | 56/100 |
10 Best Places to Live in South Carolina
Here’s our list of the top 10 cities that offer comfortable living options in the Palmetto State:
#1 Charleston
- Median Home Price: $650,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Charleston: $83,891.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 64/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Charleston, SC: 29403 | 29414 | 29412
Charleston is known for its cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and rich history. It also has a thriving economy with major sectors including aerospace, healthcare, tech, and tourism. The city boasts of church steeples from the 1700s and famous beaches like Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island.
However, the Holy City is slightly expensive owing to its position as a tourist spot and economic hub. The cost of living is 6% above the state average. Nonetheless, historical sites such as Fort Sumter and the Battery Promenade attract visitors around the globe.
» Charleston Homes for Sale: Find your home in the best city to live in South Carolina.
#2 Columbia
- Median Home Price: $257,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Columbia: $54,095.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 57/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Columbia, SC: 29201 | 29229 | 29203
Columbia is the capital of South Carolina. It is an economic center. Major employers include BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, and Fort Jackson, the largest U.S. Army training base. Besides this, healthcare costs in Columbia are 15% lower than the national average.
Moreover, Soda City is home to the University of South Carolina and is a popular hub for higher education. Also, you can visit the South Carolina State Museum and the Columbia Museum of Art.
» Columbia Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in one of the best cities to live in South Carolina.
#3 Myrtle Beach
- Median Home Price: $283,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Myrtle Beach: $50,558.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 53/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Myrtle Beach, SC: 29577 | 29582 | 29579
Myrtle Beach is famous for its 60 miles of sandy beaches and a tourism-driven economy. It has world-class golf courses, amusement parks, and a famous boardwalk. It is also home to the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the country.
Coupled with this, living in Myrtle Beach is 7% more affordable than the rest of the country. Moreover, the city offers ample job opportunities in the tourism, healthcare, and real estate.
» Myrtle Beach Homes for Sale: View properties in Myrtle Beach.
#4 Summerville
- Median Home Price: $378,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Summerville: $73,712.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 55/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Summerville, SC: 29486 | 29483 | 29485
Summerville, the “Flower Town in the Pines,” has a charming small-town atmosphere and historic azalea gardens. It is located just 25 miles from Charleston.
This city has a booming job market with big employers like Google, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. Some of the fastest-growing sectors are biosciences and logistics.
» Summerville Homes for Sale: Browse through thousands of listings in one of the best places to live in SC.
#5 Greenville
- Median Home Price: $480,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Greenville: $65,519.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 56/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Greenville, SC: 29605 | 29607 | 29601
Greenville rests on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the many good places to live in SC. G-Vegas offers various outdoor activities like ziplining, whitewater rafting, etc. In addition, the utility costs are 10% lower than the national average.
The city has a thriving economy with top companies such as BMW, Michelin, GE, and Prisma Health. Also, Greenville has plenty of cultural attractions. They include the Peace Center for the Performing Arts and the Greenville County Museum of Art.
» Greenville Homes for Sale: Explore thousands of properties in G-Vegas.
#6 Mount Pleasant
- Median Home Price: $875,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Mount Pleasant: $115,167.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 64/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Mount Pleasant, SC: 29466 | 29464 | 29429
Mount Pleasant is located just across the Cooper River from Charleston. The city is famous for its scenic waterfront views and proximity to beaches like Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. The living costs are 16% higher than the national average.
Despite the steep living costs at 16% higher than the national average, the city offers top healthcare facilities, parks, and recreational activities. Moreover, the tech sector is expanding rapidly, thanks to the nearby Charleston Digital Corridor.
» Mount Pleasant Homes for Sale: Find your dream home in the best place in SC to live in.
#7 Rock Hill
- Median Home Price: $351,750.[2]
- Median Household Income in Rock Hill: $60,807.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 56/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in Rock Hill, SC: 29732 | 29730 | 29745
Rock Hill is the fifth biggest city in the state, just 26 miles south of Charlotte, NC. The city is also known as Football City. It has a rich sports culture and a legacy of producing top NFL talent from its high schools.
Additionally, the cost of living is 4.2% lower than the national average. Beyond this, Rock Hill provides a thriving arts scene owing to cultural hubs like the Center for the Arts and the Old Town Historic District.
» Rock Hill Homes for Sale: Get yourself a home in one of the best SC cities to live in.
#8 Hilton Head Island
- Median Home Price: $730,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Hilton Head Island: $93,694.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 59/100.[6]
- 2 Popular Zip Codes in the Hilton Head Island, SC: 29928 | 29926
Hilton Head Island is a top spot for golfers and beach lovers. It has over 20 world-class golf courses, including the famous Harbour Town Golf Links.
In addition to golf, residents can enjoy pristine beaches and upscale dining. You can also visit luxury resorts and do outdoor activities like boating and biking. The local economy thrives on tourism, hospitality, and retail.
» Hilton Head Island Homes for Sale: Explore premium properties in one of the many good places to live in SC.
#9 Spartanburg
- Median Home Price: $249,900.[2]
- Median Household Income in Spartanburg: $49,140.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 51/100.[6]
- 3 Popular Zip Codes in the Spartanburg, SC: 29303 | 29301 | 29307
Spartanburg offers a mix of small-town charm and urban perks, all at an affordable cost. The city has cultural institutions, like the Chapman Cultural Center. It also hosts many community events throughout the year. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy nearby parks and trails.
Spartanburg has a diverse economy. The key industries are automotive, healthcare, and education. Major employers include BMW, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, and Milliken.
» Spartanburg Homes for Sale: Browse affordable housing options in Spartanburg.
#10. Lexington
- Median Home Price: $358,000.[2]
- Median Household Income in Lexington: $78,164.[3]
- Community Well-Being Score: 56/100.[6]
- 2 Popular Zip Codes in the Lexington, SC: 29072 | 29073
Lexington is located near Columbia and is home to renowned schools and safe neighborhoods. All this makes the city ideal for families. It also has great schools and safe neighborhoods. Also, it has various parks, recreational facilities, and a lively downtown area with shops and restaurants.
Alongside this, Lake Murray nearby provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities. The city has a strong local economy with key employers including Lexington Medical Center and the school district.
» Lexington Homes for Sale: Explore Properties in one of the best places to live in South Carolina.
Best Places to Live in South Carolina Based on Demographics
We have researched the best places for single families, young professionals, and retirees. The cities are ranked on parameters like education, employment opportunities, and healthcare facilities.
| Demographic | #1 | #2 | #3 |
| Single Families | Fort Mill | Tega Cay | Pendleton |
| Young Professionals | Spartanburg | Greenville | Charleston |
| Retirees | Aiken | Beaufort | Bluffton |
Is South Carolina the Right Place for Your Next Move?
South Carolina is one of the best places to live in the US due to its low cost of living and pleasant weather. Also, agribusiness, aerospace, automotive, technology, and manufacturing are fast-growing industries in the state.
With the current low mortgage rate of 6.25%, there is an increase in the home-buying demand in South Carolina. So, to make your offer stand out from the competition, you must get a mortgage pre-approval.
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Research Methodology for Best Places to Live in South Carolina
We considered different parameters to rank the best places in South Carolina. The comparison criteria for the best cities in South Carolina to live in and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: South Carolina Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Redfin[2]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[3]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[4]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[5]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[6]
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 retirees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Carolina a good place to live?
Yes, the Palmetto State is a good place to live. It offers warm weather, beautiful beaches and affordable living. Charleston, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach are some of the best places in South Carolina.
What is the best city to live in South Carolina?
Charleston is the best city to live in South Carolina. It is known for its cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and rich history. It also has a thriving economy.
What are the nicest parts of South Carolina to live in?
The best parts to live in South Carolina are the Coastal and Piedmont regions. They include cities like Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, Greenville, and more.
Where is the nicest but cheapest place to live in South Carolina?
Dillon is one of the cheapest places to live in South Carolina. The cost of living is 28.4% lower than the national average.
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