Are you wondering how it will be to have life in Myrtle Beach? Well, it’s a premier vacation destination for many Americans and has now become an ultimate settling destination for its mesmerizing beach weather, lower cost of living, world-class golf courses, excellent public school system, finest healthcare facilities, family-friendly neighbourhoods and more.
When comparing North Myrtle Beach vs South Myrtle Beach for an ideal living, the northern end offers a lot of shopping, local shops, restaurants, fun amenities & attractions, relaxed beaches, and condo-style hotels, the Southern side, on the other hand, is a great area for active vacationers offering retail stores, 5-star hotels, lively nightlife, and chain of restaurants to hangout with family and friends.
So, why wait? If there’s any reason driving you to know more about Myrtle Beach, read our blog post to know more!
1. What is Myrtle Beach known for?
Myrtle Beach is known as the city with one of the best beaches in South Carolina.
It is widely known for its wonderful, long, white sand beach, seafood buffets, golf, nightlife, live theatre, shopping, and much more.
It is also known as the mini golf capital of the world for having several mini and VIP golf courses for over miles than any other US city.
Myrtle earns the title of opening the US Pro Mini Golf Association’s Master’s tournament. The name “Myrtle Beach” derives from a wild native plant that grows in the city.
In 1900, the city was officially declared a beach town. The city became more famous because of the construction of rail lines from Conway, SC. Moreover, President George Washington also visited this city and stayed in a tavern, run by William Gause.
Casually called The Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach has 14 predominant beach communities, a unique center of tourism and the United States, over 1800 restaurants and 86 golf courses making it the most visited tourist destination in the nation.
2. Is Myrtle Beach SC Safe?
Myrtle Beach SC has a much elevated violent and property crime levels of 76 and 97 respectively, greater than three times the US average of 23 and 35.
This indicates that people of Myrtle Beach can easily become homicide victims if they do not stay under caution and safety.
Citizens have a chance of becoming victims of violent and property crime at a rate of 1 in 80 and 1 in 7 respectively.
As the city has a reputation as a wild party and clubbing spot, this has led to excessive drinking, drug peddling, gang activities, rape, murder, and illegal activities increasing crime statistics in the city.
Additionally, motor vehicle theft, burglary, larceny, and arson are the crimes that people are most likely to be charged with.
But since the past 4 years, crime statistics have continued to get better and have decreased by 14% since the last year.
The town and its neighbourhoods are considered safe due to the thoroughness of police patrols and law enforcement agencies.
So, ex-pats can consider living in safer neighbourhoods like Hilton Head, Carolina Forest, Peachtree Estates, Carnaby Loops, and Osprey Cove for honey, safe and quieter living in Myrtle Beach.
Below is the comparison table of the crime rate in Myrtle Beach vs. SC and the US average.
| Crime type | Myrtle Beach | South Carolina | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 76 | 28 | 23 |
| Property crime | 97 | 46 | 34 |
Source: http://www.funbeaches.com/crime.html
3. Things to know before moving to Myrtle Beach, SC
People relocating to Myrtle Beach SC will undoubtedly experience some unforeseen circumstances after their relocation which they should plan to avoid.
Here are a few important things to learn about the city to avoid inconveniences.
4. Living in Myrtle Beach SC
Myrtle Beach is primarily a tourist town, meaning living here will offer you a beach lifestyle.
Alongside it offers an incredible range of shopping, dining, theatre, nightlife, entertainment, golf courses, retail projects, and wide beaches for its millions of residents and visitors coming here throughout the year.
As a comparison with Virginia Beach, while Myrtle Beach gives a more exciting atmosphere, touristry vibe, beach crowds and nightlife, Virgin Beach, on the other hand, gives a more laid-back vibe, boardwalks, and seafood cuisine options.
Myrtle Beach has a lively retirement community, for easy healthcare access and lower tax rates for them.
It has the best beaches in South Carolina like Myrtle Beach State Park, Surfside Beach and Ocean Drive Beach.
All in all, living in this beach city is much more than having a beautiful vacation each day with some amazing things to see and do in Myrtle Beach on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina.
5. Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach SC
Unlike other South Carolina cities, Myrtle Beach also has a much lower cost of living of 90.5 which is nearly 1% more than South Carolina but 9% lower than the national average.
Except for utilities, other costs of living including grocery and food, healthcare, housing, public transportation and miscellaneous expenses are less expensive than the US average.
So, to deal with these indices, a single individual is expected to spend around $2200 and $5,000 per month, if you have a family of four in the city of Myrtle Beach.
According to USA Today, Myrtle Beach was named one of the most affordable cities to live in the USA in 2019.
Till now, people still find it a desirable place to live in the USA for its budgeted price tag.
The city also offers a competitive job market with handsome salaries, which means one can easily afford a house, family, taxes, various cost of living leads, and easily save around $10,000- $15,000 from their income if earning a median household salary of around $55,000 per annum.
Here is the table of the average cost of living in Myrtle Beach, in comparison with South Carolina, Virginia Beach, and the US average.
| Cost of living | Myrtle Beach | Virginia Beach | South Carolina | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Expenses | 90 | 105 | 89 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 96 | 100 |
| Housing | 75 | 110 | 77 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 97 | 104 | 100 |
| Transportation | 79 | 98 | 87 | 100 |
| Healthcare | 98 | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 88 | 141 | 76 | 100 |
Source: https://costoflive.com/cost-of-living/in/myrtle-beach-sc
6. Taxes in Myrtle Beach SC
South Carolina is not a high-tax state. It has low income and property taxes, making it an excellent place for retirement.
You have to pay income, property and sales tax in Myrtle Beach. However, Myrtle Beach has no excise tax.
The sales tax rate in Myrtle Beach is 7%, which includes state, county and local taxes.
Besides having low property taxes, Myrtle Beach has no Social Security tax and provides a liberal retirement-income deduction.
Therefore, Myrtle Beach is an ideal place for retirees. The income tax rate in the city is up to 7% based on income.
Myrtle Beach charges a 1% tax on local hospitality, which is subjected to prepared food and beverages.
Moreover, Myrtle Beach has local business license taxes that depend on the size of the business. The region also has a 2% local accommodations tax on accommodations in hotels.
Keep on reading to learn about the taxes and their rates in Myrtle Beach.
| Particulars | Myrtle Beach |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | 1% |
| Property tax | 4-6% |
| Income tax | 7% |
7. Housing in Myrtle Beach SC
People newly relocating here will thank the city for giving the most affordable Housing and real-estate properties as a valuable asset, like for those moving to Columbia SC.
Imagine waking up in your dream beachfront home, grazing the mild waves along the coastline and the beauty of natural landscapes!
Myrtle Beach has an active and affordable housing and real-estate market that is abundantly available and is selling up quickly.
Currently, its value averages $300,000 which is 25% lower than the national average of $338,100.
Additionally, the city’s rental prices range from around $800 and $2000 for a condo apartment to a 3-bedroom apartment which indicates homeowners can easily opt for a side hustle of rental home business to tourists and renters.
So, get a house with extra rooms plus an attached bathroom to rent out and pay for itself.
| Housing costs | Myrtle Beach | US |
|---|---|---|
| Median home cost | $299,700 | $338,100 |
| Rental cost of a studio | $950 | $1080 |
| Rental cost of 1 bedroom | $970 | $1180 |
| Rental cost of 2 bedroom | $1120 | $1430 |
| Rental cost of 3 bedroom | $1420 | $1860 |
8. Myrtle Beach Weather
Myrtle Beach’s subtropical climate draws many people who want to escape cold weather.
The average temperature ranges from 40-89°F, with highs rarely exceeding 95°F and lows dropping below 26°F.
The city gets hot, and humid summers, and windy and chilly winters, with wet, occasional thunderstorms, and scanty cloudy skies year-round.
Every year, Myrtle Beach experiences an average of 220 sunny days, 55 inches of precipitation, 2 inches of snowfall, occasional thunderstorms, and tropical cyclones that can sometimes become severe but are often weaker and do not have a significant impact on the area.
Myrtle Beach has four distinct seasons- Summers that last for 3.8 months, winters that last spot 3 months, springs from March to May and falls from September to November.
Beach lovers can have their best time in Myrtle Beach from June to August.
While July is the hottest month averaging 90°F temperature, December is the coldest and snowiest month with average lows of 25°F with 0.5 inches of snow for a month.
| Months | Weather conditions in Myrtle Beach |
|---|---|
| December-April | Mild winter and chilly nights. Snowfall is not common. The average high temperature ranges from 50-70oF. The spring season starts around March and marks an increase in temperature. |
| April-May | Dry, spring and warm weather.Low chances of rainfall. The humidity level is moderate. Nights are cooler with a temperature of about 50oF. The mean temperature varies from 50-80oF. |
| September | Warm and pleasant weather but not as high as summer months. The ocean water is warm and ideal for swimming. Chances of tropical storms or hurricanes. The humidity is mild during the early month. |
| June-November | Hot and humid weather.Occurrence of afternoon thunderstorms and rainfall.Potential risk of hurricanes during October and November. The average temperature ranges from 70-90oF. |
9. Things to do in Myrtle Beach
There are many things to see in Myrtle Beach. The beach town has a huge list of oceanfront attractions, nature and wildlife, parks, entertainment, arts, events, restaurants, and bars.
The city is an amazing place for raising family, vacations, trips and adventures with friends. Myrtle Beach is a worthy place that has endless things to do.
The Southern part of Myrtle Beach is very popular because of long chain restaurants, bars, nightlife, events, waterparks, hotels and other activities.
Here is the list of fun things to see and do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
| Kids | Explore Ripley’s Aquarium. Visit the Hollywood Wax Museum. Enjoy at Myrtle Beach Water Park. Play at MagiQuest.Learn and enjoy WonderWorks. |
| Families | Play golf with your family. Visit Alligator Adventure to see alligators. Spend a day at Broadway Beach. Take a ride on the wild Waccamaw River. Enjoy at Family Kingdom Amusement Park. |
| Couples | Take a stroll along the beautiful Myrtle Beach shoreline. Visit local wineries like Duplin Winery and La Belle Amie Vineyard. Kayaking at Murrells Inlet.Book tickets at Carolina Opry Theater. Enjoy a four-course meal and show at Pirates Voyage. |
| Seniors | Visit Charlie’s Place Historic Site.Explore Brookgreen Gardens.Relax at Huntington Beach State Park. Collect seashells and enjoy the scenic beauty at the best beaches in Myrtle Beach. Visit Indigo Fruits to pick fresh fruits. |
10. Cost of Moving to Myrtle Beach, SC
The average cost of moving to Myrtle Beach is $55 per hour. If you are planning to relocate within Myrtle Beach, it would cost from $300 to $2,000.
Generally, the price of moving in/out of the city ranges from $2500 to $7400. However, the cost of moving to Myrtle Beach, SC is cheaper than the cost of moving to Columbia SC.
Spring and fall seasons are the best time to shift your properties.
The full-service movers are the most convenient way, but the price may fluctuate depending on the size of the home, distance and time.
To find a better moving company, you can research online, read the reviews and contact them.
Below is the list of top-notch moving companies to ensure smooth movement.
- Ballantyne & Beyond Moving
- Gamecock Moving
- Two Men and a Truck
- Smooth Move Charleston
- HD Auston Moving Systems
- Fairway Moving Services
- JEGA Movers LLC
11. Pros and Cons of Living in Myrtle Beach SC
Myrtle Beach has everything you need to stay conveniently. However, the city might not be suitable for all people.
Hence, it is always wise to know about the merits and demerits of the place before planning to relocate.
Read on to learn about the list of pros and cons of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Pros
- Paradise for beach lovers.
- Lots of job opportunities.
- Moderate climate.
- Low cost of living.
- Low tax rates.
- Perfect place for retirement.
- Packed with entertainment and attractions.
Cons
- High crime rate.
- High-traffic area.
- Hurricane-prone area.
- Poor transportation system.
12. Best Neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest-growing metro areas and densely populated regions in South Carolina.
It is packed with master-planned communities and a lot of attractions and activities. Dig into the list of some of the best neighbourhoods in Myrtle Beach, SC.
1. Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is a wonderful neighbourhood of Myrtle Beach, between Ocean Drive and Atlantic Beach.
The community is a quiet, relaxing place that has several things to do for all age groups. There are affordable houses and vacation homes to stay in and enjoy the beach life.
2. Carolina Forest
Carolina Forest is located in the center of Myrtle Beach. It has a tourism industry with a lot of restaurants, shops, public golf courses, schools and beachfront attractions.
Moreover, the crime rate is moderate. The residents of this region are friendly, warm and welcoming.
3. Prestwick
Prestwick is a home to golf and tennis lovers. It is situated on the border of Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach.
Prestwick’s Country Club offers a pool with private cabanas, showers, locker rooms, and restaurants with chefs expert in Asian cuisine.
4. Grand Dunes
Grand Dunes is a resort-like community that consists of three villages such as Marina Village, Golf Village, and Ocean Village.
It boasts a 126-slip marina, two golf courses, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), tennis courts, several recreational activities and amenities.
The best thing about the community is it has a very low crime rate.
5. Westwood Estates
Westwood Estates is a small suburban neighbourhood that comprises affordable housing options. Some of the top-rated schools in this city are River Oaks Elementary School, Ocean Bay Middle School, and Carolina Forest High School.
The area is home to a famous shopping and entertainment center, Broadway Beach.
Moving to Myrtle Beach, SC FAQ’s
Do you need a car to live in Myrtle Beach?
You might need a car to live in Myrtle Beach because it’s easy to travel long distances. However, there’s a great public transportation system, The Coast bus system that travels major access routes to and fro from the Grand Strand.
What’s the population of Myrtle Beach?
With over 35,000 residents, Myrtle Beach of which 92% are homeowners and others include renters, visitors, expats, and more.
Does Myrtle Beach have good schools?
Myrtle Beach has some of the best schools that rank amongst the 100 best schools in America which includes St. James High School, Carolina Forest High School, Myrtle Beach High School, and Socastee High School.
What food is Myrtle Beach best known for?
NOLA po’ boys, St. Louis toasted ravioli, Baltimore crab cakes, Angelo’s steak and pasta, and the Carolina Barbecue area are some of the signature dishes that make Myrtle Beach famous in South Carolina.
Is Myrtle Beach ghetto?
Myrtle Beach city is not a ghetto. Some overcrowded places, peak tourist seasons, some tourist spots, and the Strip is ghetto.
Conclusion
As you can witness, Myrtle Beach has a lot of things to offer as well as a lot to endure like anywhere else in South Carolina.
With an ideal resort town living, it provides a fast-paced yet incredible living experience that goes with your lifestyle.
There’s no other city like Myrtle Beach in North Carolina vs. South Carolina if you have begun relocation plans and made settling and investment plans in any US state.
It’s a paradise for nature enthusiasts, watersports and beach lovers from across the globe. So, have a great move to Myrtle Beach.