What it's like to live in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is a small city in South Carolina with rent below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, a population that has grown fast since 2020, and schools with class sizes near the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Myrtle Beach deals with household incomes below the national average, crime rates above the national average, a poverty rate above the national average, and a rent burden that leaves many renters stretched thin.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Short commutes
- Fast-growing population
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- Below-average household incomes
- Crime above national average
- High poverty rate
- High rent burden for renters
- Above-average rainfall
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Myrtle Beach compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Myrtle Beach
Based on Myrtle Beach's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,522
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $50,440 a year
- 55% of Myrtle Beach renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$77,760
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $38,880
- Homes cost 6.4× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of living▼ 11% below US
$1,261/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,261 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices run above average, with a median around $388,800. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $388,800 · 55% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▲ 16% above US
5.0% unemployment
Unemployment here is 5.0%, somewhat above the national average of 4.3%. Lining up work before the move is the safer route.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 235% above US
1104 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is a real factor here, with violent rates significantly above the national average. That doesn't make the whole city a write-off, but it does mean specific neighborhoods deserve real research before signing a lease.
Property crime 5390/100k · Myrtle Beach Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 32% below US
18 min average commute
Commutes run short here, averaging 17.7 minutes. That's an underrated perk of living in a smaller or well-planned city, where time isn't lost sitting in traffic. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 14% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 86°F, and winters are chilly but manageable, with lows around 35°F. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 2.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforceNear US average
34% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 34% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
6 public schools inside the boundary
There are 6 public schools inside the boundary and 1 private school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16:1, close to the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Moores Creek National Battlefield (68 miles away). There are 3 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Myrtle Beach's strongest points are rent below the national average and commutes that run shorter than most cities; the main tradeoffs are household incomes below the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,261/mo) equals 25% of the median household income here, more than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit people watching their budget and people who want short commutes.
See all the data for Myrtle Beach →·All South Carolina cities →
Other places near Myrtle Beach
All South Carolina guides →Moving to Socastee →
5 mi away · pop. 23,796
Rent $1,246/mo · Income $62,257
Compare with Myrtle Beach →Moving to Carolina Forest →
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Rent $1,668/mo · Income $74,436
Compare with Myrtle Beach →Moving to Red Hill →
10 mi away · pop. 15,920
Rent $1,179/mo · Income $68,250
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