Isle of Palms 61 Average
Isle of Palms Livability #217 ranked city in South Carolina#18,296 ranked city in the USARanks better than 37% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Isle of Palms

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Isle of Palms?

Isle of Palms, South Carolina is a small-sized city with a population of 4,493 residents. At 96%, the majority of the Isle of Palms population is White; this is followed by 3% Asian and 0% Black. The Isle of Palms population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 54, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Isle of Palms might be a good fit as 75% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 25% have kids who are 18 years old or younger. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Isle of Palms, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Isle of Palms is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a positive experience before moving to any new city in South Carolina, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. The best areas in Isle of Palms and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, cost of living, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the South Carolina and national averages.

Isle of Palms, SC receives 60 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #205 in South Carolina and #18,661 in the USA. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Isle of Palms scores well for crime (B) There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Isle of Palms. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 137 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Isle of Palms boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

The unemployment rate in Isle of Palms has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.2%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Assuming that Isle of Palms meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Isle of Palms. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Isle of Palms are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Isle of Palms come in at $1,476,038, which is 467.4% higher than the South Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Isle of Palms, the home price to income ratio is 7.7, which is 102.6% higher than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Isle of Palms

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Compare Isle of Palms, SC Livability

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      Isle of Palms transportation information

      Statistic Isle of Palms South Carolina National
      Average one way commute26min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work74.1%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool2.6%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home16.0%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Isle of Palms, 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.