Greenville 79 Exceptional
Greenville Livability #13 ranked city in South Carolina#2,003 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Greenville

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.

CONS
  • Crime Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

What's it like Living in Greenville?

Located in the state of South Carolina, Greenville is a moderately-sized city with a population of 71,185 people. According to the most recent Census, 67% of Greenville residents are White, 24% Black and 3% Asian. Greenville is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 45% married, this city falls well below the national average. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Greenville will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Living in Greenville can be a positive experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of South Carolina, there are many amazing places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Greenville and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Greenville to South Carolina and the national average.

Greenville, SC receives 82 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #4 in South Carolina and #1,068 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Greenville ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! The cherry on top is that Greenville also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Greenville has received high marks for education (B-), employment (B-) and housing (A-). There are some categories that Greenville ranks poorly for, including: crime (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

If you're living in Greenville, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Greenville an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville Zoo, and Fluor Field at the WestEnd.

The Greenville unemployment rate of 2.4% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Greenville has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Greenville is real estate affordability. The median home price for Greenville homes is $604,731, which is 132.5% higher than the South Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Greenville, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.8, which is 78.9% higher than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Greenville

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Greenville?

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Compare Greenville, SC Livability

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      Greenville transportation information

      Statistic Greenville South Carolina National
      Average one way commute20min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.4%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.8%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.3%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.8%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home7.0%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Greenville, SC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.