Rich history, natural beauty, and a healthy dose of Southern hospitality make South Carolina an attractive state to call home. Pinning down the best places to live in South Carolina can be challenging since the state offers many options. From bigger cities to quaint towns, South Carolina has it all. The Palmetto State also delivers an appealing climate, with mild winters and hot summers, especially when you consider the easy access to the coastline.
If you’re wondering where to live, you’ll have plenty of options to consider. Here are our 8 picks for the best places to live in South Carolina:
1. Charleston
2. Clemson
3. Columbia
4. Greenville
5. Lexington
6. Mount Pleasant
7. Myrtle Beach
8. Rock Hill
What makes each place unique? Read on to find out more.
Charleston
- Population of Charleston: 156,625
- Average annual salary in Charleston: $66,853
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Charleston: $1,753/month
No list of the best places to live in South Carolina is complete without Charleston. Not only is Charleston one of the best cities in South Carolina, but it’s also a foodie destination for people across the nation.
Although the city has the state’s largest population, it treats residents to a nostalgic, charming vibe. Quaint homes and cobblestone streets come together with pleasant weather, thanks to Charleston’s position on a peninsula, offering residents year-round fun and entertainment. You’ll have easy access to beaches within a 20-minute drive of the city, too.
Clemson
- Population of Clemson: 17,681
- Average annual salary in Clemson: $54,000
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Clemson: $615/month
Are you looking for a classic college town? Enter Clemson, home of Clemson University, which has upward of 25,000 students attending the institution.
The university and town are intertwined, but university students get along well with the community. The university is also the largest employer in the area. With an average commute time of fewer than 20 minutes for Clemson residents, this city offers an intriguing location for students and young professionals alike.
Columbia
Population of Columbia : 136,632
Average annual salary in Columbia: $63,183
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Columbia: $930/month
Head to Columbia for another location tied to academic life. South Carolina’s capital city is also home to the University of South Carolina, and the flagship campus spans the area while contributing billions of dollars to the local economy.
Whether you’re enrolling as a USC student or looking for life in a college town, college football is king here. Residents of Columbia and the state as a whole love the USC Gamecocks. You’ll have to contend with some traffic with football game crowds in the southern half of Columbia on game days, but otherwise, the city offers short commutes. The average commute is only about 15 minutes.
Greenville
- Population of Greenville: 525,834
- Average annual salary in Greenville: $64,000
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Greenville: $1,090/month
You’ll find Greenville at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it’s a great place to live if you want to surround yourself with nature. You don’t have to sacrifice the culinary and shopping possibilities you’d get in a big city either. Southern hospitality comes together with international charm thanks to Greenville’s textile manufacturing history. The industry attracted merchants and students from across the globe in the past, creating Greenville’s continued dynamic atmosphere.
Major corporations such as Michelin and GE Power keep the Greenville economy going today. Residents can typically enjoy an average commute of fewer than 20 minutes here. All that activity comes together to make Greenville one of the best places to live in South Carolina.
Lexington
- Population of Lexington: 23,568
- Average annual salary in Lexington: $65,534
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Lexington: $1,275/month
If you’re looking for a home in South Carolina that offers a small-town feel, you can’t go wrong with Lexington. The town’s proud history dates back to the mid-late 1800s when Lexington functioned as a wholesale retail market.
Today, you can sense these roots through the town’s commitment to small businesses. The quaint community makes shopping local a breeze thanks to an assortment of family-owned, mom-and-pop stores. Lexington’s Old Mill gives insight into the town’s past, and 20 local businesses now call the former site of Lexington’s textile mill home. Lake Murray is a highlight here, as residents enjoy fishing, boating, water sports, and lakeside living all on its 50,000 acres of land and 650 miles of shoreline.
Mount Pleasant
- Population of Mount Pleasant: 90,801
- Average annual salary in Mount Pleasant: $66,031
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mount Pleasant: $1,689/month
Mount Pleasant certainly ranks among the best communities in South Carolina. The coastal suburb exudes a laid-back atmosphere, all without sacrificing easy access to amenities. Drive 2.7 miles via the Cooper River Bridge, and you’re in Charleston.
You don’t have to leave Mount Pleasant for fun, though. Two of South Carolina’s best beaches sit on one side of the suburb, while a thriving downtown area animates the other side. Although you’ll likely find higher real estate prices here than in other areas, residents enjoy a high average salary. Mount Pleasant is also known for being home to a highly educated population.
Myrtle Beach
- Population of Myrtle Beach: 35,682
- Average annual salary in Myrtle Beach: $63,183
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Myrtle Beach: $1,350/month
Do you want to feel like you’re on vacation every day? Myrtle Beach is one of the best cities in South Carolina for that. You’ll find this town located on the Atlantic coastline. While high-rise hotels, golf courses, and amusement parks testify that Myrtle Beach is a resort town, it’s also a fun place to call home.
Fourteen separate communities make up what’s known as Myrtle Beach, so you’re sure to find a place that fits in with the lifestyle you crave. You can also look forward to a generally low cost of living in this area and, of course, 24/7 access to the beach.
Rock Hill
- Population of Rock Hill : 63,060
- Average annual salary in Rock Hill : $63,183
- Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rock Hill: $1,245/month
If you’re into the arts, Rock Hill offers one of the best places to live in South Carolina. You’ll find a thriving art community that sparks creativity wherever you go — not to mention boosting the local economy.
Head to Downtown Rock Hill, named the first cultural district in the state, to explore a range of art schools, artist studios, galleries, museums, and theaters. Murals and sculptures decorate the streets and let you continually engage with art each day. The city delivers a variety of culinary offerings too.
Where are the best places to live in South Carolina? The answer will depend on precisely what you’re looking for in your new home. South Carolina truly has something for everyone, from city life in historic Charleston to small-town vibes in other towns throughout the state. With so many places to live in South Carolina, you’re sure to find an appealing place to live no matter what you’re seeking.
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