Moving to Myrtle Beach – Your EZ Guide to Everything Myrtle Beach, SC

If you’ve lived in huge, congested cities such as New York, Philly, or Chicago, you most likely must endure harsh winters yearly. And also traffic, long lines, high expenses on everything…. Perhaps you’re looking for a place that offers the complete opposite: a smaller city with sunny skies and a lively atmosphere. And how about a beach, so you can relax somewhere or live where you vacation? And a place with lots of entertainment and outdoor adventures. Guess what? You’re describing what it is like living in Myrtle Beach, SC.

In the heart of the Grand Strand lies a seaside community famous for its beautiful beaches, prime dining and shopping, premier golf courses, and an expansive selection of residential neighborhoods. Thousands of people each year fall in love with the Myrtle Beach lifestyle. Sure, there’s an influx of tourists, but many more have decided to pull up their beach chairs and never leave. Dig into the perks of moving to Myrtle Beach and see if you’d like to join them.

Myrtle Beach Fast Facts

• Located 35 miles from North Carolina
• Part of Horry County
• Population: Approximately 37,000 residents (2021)
• 650 acres of public parks and recreation area
• Nearly 100 golf courses
• “Grand Strand” is 60 miles of unbroken beach
• Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is on the south side
• Hosts 15 million visitors a year (prime time is June-August)

About Myrtle Beach, SC

Down in the South Carolina Lowcountry on the Atlantic Coast is a 60-mile arc of wide, sandy beach called the Grand Strand. The crown of that seaside escape is Myrtle Beach, a bustling seaside destination in Horry County. Initially developed in the early 20th century as a coastal retreat, it gained popularity thanks to the railroad’s arrival, which made the area more accessible to tourists. Locals capitalized on that access and its wide sandy beaches, adding attractions like a beachside boardwalk packed with entertainment, dining, and shopping. Since then, Myrtle Beach has grown into a popular vacation spot. The tourist town now has everything from golf courses and theme parks to shopping and fresh seafood. With all the amenities, it’s no surprise it is a popular vacation destination.

Cost of Living and Population Growth

The coastal city serves as one of the major tourism hubs in the state and the whole country. This city’s warm and subtropical climate, paired with its stunning beaches allows it to attract around 14 million visitors every year.

By 2023, the US Census estimated about 40,000 people made Myrtle Beach their home. That’s a growth rate of 11.2% in four years, and one of the faster one growth rates in South Carolina. Local residents had a median age of 44 years old. You’ll find a lot of balance between retirees, professionals, and families.

Surprisingly enough, even as a thriving coastal destination, Myrtle Beach is an affordable place to live in. Below is a table that shows a side-by-side comparison of indexed living costs with South Carolina. The national average is always set at 100.

COST OF LIVING	Myrtle Beach	South Carolina	USA
Overall	90.4%	89.3%	100%
Grocery	97.1%	95.8%	100%
Health	98.0%	102.7%	100%
Housing	75%	76.6%	100%
Median Home Cost	$299,700	$259,900	$338,100
Utilities	101.6%	103.9%	100%
Transportation	79%	86.8%	100%
Miscellaneous	87.8%	76.3%	100%

The price of living in Myrtle Beach costs 10% less than the national average. That’s incredible for a beachfront city! The affordable cost is why so many decide to come here.

Job Market

Households in Myrtle Beach have a median annual income of around $50,558, which is lower compared to the national average of $80,610. However, this is still quite an improvement from the median income of 2017, which was $39,006.

Naturally, the tourism industry thrives in America’s beach vacation destination. People love coming here in all seasons because there’s so much for the family to do, and the local economy supports that. The 17.6 million estitmated visitors for 2023 will generate $12.5 billion in economic impact for the Myrtle Beach metro.

However, Myrtle Beach has many job opportunities outside of the hospitality industry. For starters, the healthcare industry is vital to the local economy, with six hospitals serving as leading providers and a supporting outlying network of physicians and nurses. Three of the ten top employers by size are healthcare providers.

Education is another thriving employment sector and actually takes the top two spots for employers by size. The main is the Horry County School District, followed by Coastal Carolina University.

Greater Myrtle Beach’s other main industries include technology, aerospace, marine, and manufacturing. Horry County has over 35 essential manufacturing facilities and 25 international companies.

Climate

Sure,  Myrtle Beach is oceanfront, but how often will the weather let you enjoy the waterfront lifestyle? Good news: Freezing weather and snow are rare in Myrtle Beach, making the city an excellent community for anyone who likes warm weather and dislikes snow. It’s that just-so-right blend of rain and sunshine all in one place.

Now, not every day will be gorgeous and sunny. Myrtle Beach gets about 52 inches of rain per year, while the annual average in the United States is about 38 inches.  But, it doesn’t snow as often in Myrtle Beach, getting only one inch of snow per year compared to the U.S. average of 28 inches.

 Summers tend to be rainy and hot for Myrtle Beach’s climate, with the most uncomfortable months being July and August. Winter is mild and dry.

If you’re looking for the perfect time to move to Myrtle Beach, your best bets for good weather are during April, May, and October.

The downside is you will contend with the occasional tropical weather. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the peak season being August and September. There are ways to check if your home has hurricane-resilient features and to protect your home should a storm track threaten the Myrtle Beach area. Hurricanes and tropical storms are a part of living anywhere near the coast in the Eastern US.

Education: Schools and Colleges

Myrtle Beach is more than fun and beach days. This beach town offers exceptional education opportunities for families with kids. Its schools, colleges, and universities can open new doors for your kids or yourself.

Public Schools

Myrtle Beach falls under the Horry County School District, one of South Carolina’s largest school districts. It runs 58 schools, but some of the ones directly serving residents in the Myrtle Beach area are:

• Ocean Bay Elementary School
• Lakewood Elementary School
• Ocean Bay Middle School
• Myrtle Beach Primary, Elementary, and Intermediate Schools
• Coastal High School

Higher Education

Further your career with advanced training or job-specific certificates. Earn them at these local colleges.

• Coastal Carolina University, a public liberal arts university with 115+ undergraduate and 30 graduate-level courses of study.
• Horry Georgetown Technical College, a public college with 70 different degrees, diplomas, and career tracks, from advanced welding to nursing.
• Webster University’s Myrtle Beach campus

Myrtle Beach Real Estate Market

Properties in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, had a median property value of $305,792 in 2023 — much lower national average of $412,300 in Q2 2024. This indicates the real estate market in Myrtle Beach is more affordable than the national average. However, Myrtle Beach homes typically see strong price appreciation. Housing costs here increased by 9.2% from 2017’s $178,300 to 2018’s $194,700 alone, and that before the pandemic.

Myrtle Beach’s housing market is robust with single-family homes and condominium properties. Some of the condominiums are geared as part-time, vacation, or shared-ownership properties. That makes it attractive for the real estate investor or those wanting to rent their vacation home and live there part-time.

As of 2024, the inventory of homes for sale has been increasing over the prior twelve months. This matches how the real estate market has been trending nationwide. In September 2024, the condo market had a 6.7-month supply, showing balance, while single-family homes had a 3.8-month supply, hinting at stronger demand. Median sale prices had also stabilized for the metro region, at $350,000 for single-family and $250,000 for condos.

Neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach

A local real estate agent can help you dig into the wonderful communities that make up the beach lifestyle. To get you familiar with the town, here are a few top neighborhoods to check out:

• Grande Dunes promises a resort lifestyle with its golf courses, waterfront access, and luxury homes.
• Carolina Forest is a suburban area near the Intracoastal with multiple master-planned communities
• Pine Lakes is a classic Myrtle Beach community with a historic look, a golf course, and closer positioning to the beaches
• Ocean Boulevard has prized views and walkability, plus many oceanfront condo complexes.
• Additionally, some adjacent metro communities provide all the perks of Myrtle Beach living with a more residential vibe. You may be interested in homes located in North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Little River.

Resorts and the Resort Lifestyle

Myrtle Beach is known for its many resorts. These oceanfront and inland resorts are for all budgets and lifestyles. Buying into the resort lifestyle is always an option when moving to Myrtle Beach. The real estate market lists condominiums, townhouses, and even detached, single-family homes in resort-style communities. Some operate as timeshares or allow you to buy and operate as a vacation rental, saving time for yourself when you want it. These resort communities may be gated or open; to appeal to renters and owners, they often include on-site amenities like pools, spas, tennis courts, restaurants, driving ranges/putting greens, and state-of-the-art fitness centers.

Getting Around Myrtle Beach

Overall, people in Myrtle Beach enjoy a commute time of only 16.1 minutes but that’s more its compact nature than the roadways. The traffic can be a challenge occasionally, particulary in peak season. The Transportation Department in Myrtle Beach takes driving and the safety of its residents and visitors seriously. Horry County led South Carolina in traffic fatalities in 2024. The team behind the Transportation Department works around the clock to ensure the dwindling numbers of such accidents. Here are their tips for creating safer streets:

• Implement defensive driving: Defensive driving teaches drivers to maintain a safe distance rather than speed ahead. Be ready to accept minor delays and avoid abruptly changing lanes. It’s also best to yield to other cars and pedestrians, even if you have the right-of-way.
• Practice extra caution in harsh weather: Even if Myrtle Beach doesn’t get snow, roads can still become encased in ice. Taking extra care and watching the surroundings will help everyone get to their destination safely.
• Never drive sleepy: Around 20% of crashes are caused by someone who’s driving while drowsy or tired. It’s always best to drive alert and ready for anything.
• Never drink then drive: In 2013 alone, more than 10,000 people had fatal accidents involving people who were drunk behind the wheel.

Public Transportation

To help manage traffic flow, especially around its beachfront, Myrtle Beach provides plenty of options for public transportation.

Pedestrian Travel

Areas near the Boardwalk and Promenade, plus the beachfront hotel district, are highly walkable. Bike lanes run down Ocean Boulevard. Rentals are available for bicycles and mopeds.

Driving

Near the oceanfront, the primary road is Ocean Boulevard, but also Kings Highway/Business NC 17. Highway 501 runs east-west directly to the oceanfront, bringing people in off main Highway 17.

Taxi and Ride Share Services

Reliable taxi and ride-share services are available in Myrtle Beach for getting around. Beachfront hotels also operate some shuttle services for their guests.

Coast RTA Bus Service

The Coast RTA Public Transit serves Georgetown and Horry Counties, covering the Myrtle Beach area and much of the Grand Strand. Eight bus routes run to the most popular areas of the beach. These shuttle services cost just $1.00 for adults with discounts available for students, seniors, children, and Medicaid recipients. There’s a daily rate cap of $3.50 for riding the bus if you tap with your smartphone.

Myrtle Beach International Airport

The Myrtle Beach International Airport is a public-use, county-owned airport three miles southwest of downtown Myrtle Beach. It is currently categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility.

Things To Do in Myrtle Beach

You won’t be bored for a second when it comes to things to do in Myrtle Beach. Whether you’re craving beach time, thrill rides, local flavors, or a bit of everything, Myrtle Beach has you covered. Here’s a look at all the fun waiting for you.

Myrtle Beach

This is the most obvious entry in this list since the main attraction of this beautiful city is the beach itself. The Grand Strand is 60 miles of uninterrupted beach stretching across the city’s oceanfront. Beach activities include swimming as much as you want, picking up beach volleyball, digging sand castles, flying a kite, and long walks in the twilight. Beach crowds grow in the tourist season, which peaks in June to August. Outdoor explorers enjoy all methods of watersports here. Go fishing from piers or book deep-sea charters. Boating includes the Intracoastal and the rolling Atlantic. Ride the waves while surfing or windsurfing, or dive beneath them for some scuba diving. Access to beaches is available at multiple points.

The energy and excitement make the oceanfront Myrtle Beach Boardwalk among the nation’s best. This hotspot for entertainment, dining, and beach vacation fun spans from First Avenue North to 16th Avenue North. Attractions appeal to all ages. Visit the iconic Myrtle Beach SkyWheel to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Play mini golf or hit up the classic arcade. Walk to the end of the Second Avenue Pier for the perfect photo moment, or get the heart racing with zipline adventures.

Classic places to grab a bite along the Boardwalk are Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery, Moe Moons, and the Beach House Bar and Grill. These are packed with vacationers in season. 

Enjoying a day of sun and fun is as easy as stepping off the Boardwalk onto the beach. The beaches run along the city’s eastern edge, including the Second Avenue Fishing Pier and Myrtle Beach State Park Pier off the Boardwalk. Some chairs and umbrellas are available at the resorts or through beach vendors.

Water Sports

Being next to the ocean, there is plenty of fun to be had by the water. Here are a few more ways to have fun around the water.

Myrtle Waves Water Park

The Myrtle Waves is the largest water park in South Carolina. More than one million gallons of water flow through over 20 acres of rides, slides, chutes, and rafts. Be sure to try out their larger slides: the King Cobra, Night Flight, and Turbo Twisters. The 20-foot-long vertical Super Chute slide is thrilling if you’re feeling extra adventurous. Meanwhile, other beachfront water parks are Wild & Water Wheels and Crown Reef Resort, which house tube slides, pools, huge waterslides, and more.

Island Adventure Watersports

For some serious watersports, Island Adventure Watersports is the go-to place for locals and visitors alike. With staff committed to providing their customers with exceptional service, you can create lasting memories of your aquatic adventures. Their rental services include Guided Jet Ski Tours, Jet Ski Rentals, Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Banana Boat Rides, Wakeboard Lessons, and more.

Golfing

Nicknamed “Golf Capital of the World,” the Myrtle Beach metro boasts an impressive 100 golf courses despite its relatively small beach metro area. To make things even better, many courses came straight from brilliant minds in the industry, such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones.

The Barefoot Resort & Golf property has four courses wait for you, including one of the most challenging courses designed by Pete Dye. Many players have recently reported its difficulty but also noted how it was worth trying.  Learn more about the best golf course communities in Myrtle Beach.

Mini Golf Courses

Perfect for aspiring golfers, Myrtle Beach has various mini golf courses scattered around the Grand Strand. One of the biggest areas for mini-golf courses is located in Route 17 business and is a great area to play all day. Some of the courses found here are Jungle Lagoon, Mt. Atlanticus, Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf, and Treasure Island.

Outdoor Recreation

Myrtle Beach also has dozens of parks with playgrounds for the kids and dog parks for canine friends. Along the Intracoastal Waterway are marinas with access to water sports such as kayaking and sailing. Find places to rent or launch your boat for a day on the water.

One can’t miss a slice of Lowcountry outdoors is the Waccamaw River. Travel down the Waccamaw River and its national wildlife refuge to explore the natural world around Myrtle Beach firsthand.

Tired of beach crowds? Just south of Myrtle Beach is Huntington Beach State Park, a three-mile stretch of Grand Strand with sand dunes and space to spread out. It also has some of the area’s top attractions, the Atalaya Castle and Brookgreen Gardens.

Sports and Sports Teams

Myrtle Beach also has plenty to offer for sports fans, with teams in baseball, as well as college sports. Furthermore, the city’s recreational department runs excellent sports facilities with leagues for all ages.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

This Class A-Advanced baseball team is an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the 2016 World Series Champions. Throughout the years, the Pelicans have sent more than 150 players to the next level, competing in the “big leagues.” The team has also won the title in back-to-back seasons from 2015 to 2016. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans reside in Pelicans Ballpark and begin their season in April and end in September.

Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers

Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach plays in Division I college sports. The Chanticleers compete nationally in sports such as basketball, football, volleyball, baseball, softball, and golf. Each season, you can cheer for the Chanticleers as they face major national teams as well as opponents from the Big South Conference.

Family Kingdom Amusement Park

This seaside amusement park has the adrenaline-pumping thrills that put the “fun” in a family day. It has 35 rides including a classic wooden rollercoaster and a classic log flume ride. Gain seaside views from the top before plunging down the hills. The park operates seasonally.

Dog Friendly

Myrtle Beach is a dog-friendly city, where most places will accept your dog companion. If you’re unsure of where to go with your canine buddy, start with the city’s two “Barc Parcs,” the off-leash areas with fountains and space to run. Dogs will love to run on the beach and play in the waves. Just be aware in the summer months, their play time is limited to before 10 am and after 5 pm and they must be on a leash. For the Boardwalk, they are allowed from 5 am-10 am during the peak season.

Iconic Dining

Atlas Tap House

The Atlas Tap House has hosted plenty of bars over the years, but now that they’ve found the perfect combination, they tirelessly serve bourbon, craft beer, and house-smoked barbecues. While their food is tasty, their main selling point is beer. An extensive and exotic list will excite your taste buds.

Sea Captain’s House

Built in 1930, this building first served Henry Taylor and his family for more than 10 years until it was turned into a restaurant in 1962. Today, the iconic Sea Captain’s House has served diners for more than 50 years. Ocean views complement the delicious food and southern hospitality on tap at this restaurant.

Liberty Tap Room & Grill

Liberty Tap Room conveniently sits in the heart of Myrtle Beach and combines the upscale dining scene with the appeal of being dog-friendly. This restaurant serves traditional American cuisine in a fun and modern atmosphere. Moreover, pups are welcome at the outdoor tables in their Beer Garden.

Attractions

Because Myrtle Beach draws so many people, the oceanfront is packed with attractions to keep them busy. A few more fascinating things to do while living in Myrtle Beach:

Ripley’s Aquarium

Myrtle Beach is home to the extraordinary Ripley’s Aquarium. Roam around a giant aquatic habitat like the Dangerous Reef aquarium where fish, stingrays, turtles, and sharks glide by. This aquarium’s habitats are home to exotic aquatic residents from the Indo-Pacific and the Amazon River.

Hollywood Wax Museum

Opened in 2014, the Hollywood Wax Museum showcases replicas of celebrities. One of the most easily recognizable features is a 35-foot-tall replica of King Kong. Other stars you’ll find standing in wax include Robert Downey Jr., Taylor Swift, and Audrey Hepburn. You’ll also find themed sections inside the Hollywood Wax Museum, with the Horror Film Villains being a popular place to explore.

WonderWorks

WonderWorks is located at Broadway at the Beach and is an interactive museum designed to look like an upside-down building, which encourages a child’s natural sense of creativity and curiosity. This 50,000 sq. ft. building is stuffed with over 100 hands-on exhibits and provides both kids and adults a truly unique experience. A few of the activities you can expect to do here include:

• Feeling what it’s like to wear an astronaut suit
• The sensation of lying on a bed of nails
• Experience the power of hurricane-force winds
• Play the piano on the floor using your feet

In addition to learning, kids can play laser tag, participate in a rope course, and engage in other activities at WonderWorks.

Shopping

There are plenty of places to shop, wine, and dine in Myrtle Beach. Explore these districts to find great bargains.

Barefoot Landing on the Waterway

Barefoot Landing on the Waterway is a prime example of waterfront shopping where dining and entertainment options are plentiful. Located in North Myrtle Beach along the gorgeous Intracoastal Waterway, it features quaint boutiques, national retail shops, exciting entertainment offerings, and a wide selection of restaurants. Choose from Mexican, Italian, ice cream shops, and more favorites. At Barefoot Landing, there are special events scheduled throughout the year.

Coastal Grand Mall

Coastal Grand Mall is one of the largest indoor malls in South Carolina. It is conveniently located at 501 and Highway 17 Bypass, so anyone from both sides of the Grand Strand can access it. Some of the shops you’ll find here include Dick’s Sporting Goods, Old Navy, Ulta, Belk, and Bath and Body Works.

Market Common

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk comes to mind, but so does The Market Common. This lively, upscale area in Myrtle Beach with a unique mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and residential spaces. It’s designed with a welcoming, village-like feel and is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. There’s a 14-screen movie theater and various events throughout the year, like art walks, outdoor movies, and live music on the green. It’s a place that’s as much about experiences as it is about shopping.

This is just a short list of the available shopping in Myrtle Beach. Other retail districts include Tanger Outlets, Broadway at the Beach, and local surf shops like Surf City and Village Surf Shop.

Art and Culture

Myrtle Beach is much more than just surf, sand, and sparkling tourist attractions. This oceanfront city is rich in history, art, and culture, too. Enjoy the Art Museum, Long Bay Symphony, and the Official South Carolina Hall of Fame on Oak Street. Some of this city’s greatest treasures are inside buildings, preserved behind glass cases for all to see and appreciate.

North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum

The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum displays impressive exhibits on the Native Americans who first inhabited the area and the first settlers. It covers the establishment of early rice plantations and the effects of the Civil War. Find a short-term regional exhibit and a long-term gallery with the region’s timeline. Learn all about the Shag — known as the state’s official dance and a favorite pastime in South Carolina.

Myrtle Beach Art Trail

A series of public art installations scattered throughout the city, take a fun self-guided tour through the city to find them all. It includes sculptures, murals, and other art pieces by local artists.

Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

This local museum focuses on contemporary Southern art and offers free admission. As Myrtle Beach’s only art museum, it has rotating exhibits, photography displays, and art classes. It’s located in a beautiful historic villa by the ocean, providing a scenic backdrop for art lovers.

GTS Theater

This local theater is well-loved by locals. The fun shows in the intimate setting encourage audience participation. The GTS theater is a great place to go for a memorable date night. Performances range from concerts to magic shows, comedies, musicals, and more.

Events

The events calendar stays busy with music festivals; perhaps the most crowd-drawing Carolina Country Music Fest, a summertime three-day event with all the big stars. But there are smaller shows, too, like Pawleys Island Music Festival.

Discover What It Is Like Living In Myrtle Beach

While some might choose to move to high-profile cities like Los Angeles or Miami, they aren’t nearly as affordable as living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And it’s not just the homes; everything else is much more affordable here, including groceries, health expenses, and transportation costs.

Just imagine a haven where you live where “white landscape” describes the beach sand and not the inches of snow at your feet. Myrtle Beach is a paradise just calling people from all over the country and worldwide.

Updated October 2024