Murrells Inlet 76 Excellent
Murrells Inlet Livability #24 ranked city in South Carolina#3,662 ranked city in the USARanks better than 87% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Murrells Inlet

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.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Schools Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • 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.

What's it like Living in Murrells Inlet?

Murrells Inlet is a small city located in the state of South Carolina. The city has a population of 9,626 people. At 86%, the majority of the Murrells Inlet population is White; this is followed by 10% Black and 2% Asian. The Murrells Inlet population appears to be aging at a faster rate than normal. The median age is currently 60, which is on the high side when compared to most other cities. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Murrells Inlet. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Living in Murrells Inlet can be a positive experience for anyone relocating to the city. Having said that, in the state of South Carolina, there are many desirable 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. Finding the best places to live in Murrells Inlet and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, employment and other important metrics.

The livability score in Murrells Inlet is 74 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 85th percentile of all cities across America. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Murrells Inlet scores well for crime (B+), education (A), employment (B) and housing (A+) The bad news for Murrells Inlet, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F).

The unemployment rate in Murrells Inlet has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.4%. 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.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Murrells Inlet, the average school test scores reached an impressive 82%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Murrells Inlet an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Murrells Inlet market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

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 Murrells Inlet is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Murrells Inlet come in at $480,768, which is 84.8% higher than the South Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Murrells Inlet, the home price to income ratio is 5.3, which is 39.5% higher than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Murrells Inlet

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Compare Murrells Inlet, SC Livability

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      Murrells Inlet transportation information

      Statistic Murrells Inlet South Carolina National
      Average one way commute17min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.5%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.3%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.9%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home7.2%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Murrells Inlet, 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.