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Cost of living in Myrtle Beach, SC

Livability score 67 · cost-of-living index 93.8 (US = 100)

Myrtle Beach, SC
Photo: w:User:Isipeoria via Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

How Myrtle Beach compares

Where Myrtle Beach falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 94 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 94 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $340k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $340k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $170 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $170 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 7.4% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 7.4% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 0.41% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 0.41% Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 530 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 530 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 17.1 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 17.1 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 91° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 91° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 36° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 36°

Map of Myrtle Beach

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)93.8metro-area#81 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)95.9metro-area#69 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)$5.34metro-area#81 of 200
Median household income$63,296metro-area#153 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)$33,006metro-area#192 of 200

Who lives here

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median age48.2 yearsmetro-area#195 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)26.6%metro-area#165 of 200
Foreign-born residents6.6%metro-area#130 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied75.8%metro-area#7 of 200

Economy

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Unemployment rate5.41%metro-area#122 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)+14.7%metro-area#11 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Median home price$340,239metro-area#96 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)5.4×metro-area#131 of 200
1-yr home appreciation-0.6%metro-area#147 of 200
Price per square foot$170metro-area#81 of 200
Typical home size (implied)2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)$1,726metro-area#122 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)8,374
Median days on market48metro-area#189 of 200

Taxes

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)8.9%state#27 of 200
Combined sales tax7.44%state#103 of 200
State income tax (top rate)6.20%
Capital gains tax6.40%state#140 of 200
High earnersNo special surtax
Social Security in retirementNot taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate0.41%metro-area#7 of 200
Median property tax paid$1,004metro-area#11 of 200

Health & childcare

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Life expectancy at birth74.6 yearsmetro-area#159 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)$6,500state#53 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)14.7%metro-area#177 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k62metro-area#162 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)$8,500state#19 of 200

Vehicles & commute

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Annual registration$40state#4 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)2.33% of value (~$652/yr)state#186 of 200
Emissions testingNot required
Emissions detailNo vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices3
Avg commute to work23 minmetro-area#75 of 200
Commute by driving alone78.3%metro-area#151 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min29.4%metro-area#73 of 200

Utilities & fuel

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Electricity17.1¢/kWhstate#107 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill$154state#107 of 200
Gasoline$3.05/galstate#45 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)$56state#51 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)$97state#88 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)$78state#77 of 200

Insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Home insurance (annual)$2,000state#110 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)$1,900state#86 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Main natural hazardsNotable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)98.2 — Relatively Highmetro-area#176 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)$900state#152 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)$350state#149 of 200

Climate & air quality

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)40metro-area#40 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)2,000metro-area#138 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)95%state#27 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)2,000metro-area#44 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F16metro-area#75 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F0metro-area#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)91°Fmetro-area#136 of 200
Avg winter low36°Fmetro-area#71 of 200
Annual precipitation51.0"metro-area#167 of 200
Annual snowfall1.0"metro-area#57 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)64%metro-area#59 of 200
Plant hardiness zone8a
Frost window03-10 → 11-20

Safety

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)530state#180 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)2,900state#173 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Grocery stores19metro-area#174 of 200
Parks22
Hiking areas8
Golf courses13
Shooting ranges4
Lakes3

Permits

MetricValueScopeUS rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)2state#1 of 200
Permit detailGenerally easy

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Salaries by occupation in Myrtle Beach

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

OccupationMedian pay
Dentists $154,720
Pharmacists $130,970
Financial Managers $125,920
Physician Assistants $111,050
Software Developers $102,340
Human Resources Managers $101,510
Lawyers $98,500
Marketing Managers $93,800
Physical Therapists $92,690
Construction Managers $92,100
Data Scientists $90,260
General & Operations Managers $82,990
Registered Nurses $79,770
Mechanical Engineers $79,720
Dental Hygienists $77,250
Civil Engineers $69,150
Accountants & Auditors $65,780
Elementary School Teachers $57,260
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $52,190
Real Estate Sales Agents $49,500
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $48,910
Electricians $47,630
Welders, Cutters & Solderers $46,300
Carpenters $45,500
Graphic Designers $45,360
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $44,540
Medical Assistants $36,750

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