| Index | Myrtle Beach | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 104 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 118 | 81 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 98 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Myrtle Beach? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Myrtle Beach stands at 104, making it 4% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Myrtle Beach aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Myrtle Beach residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 23 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Myrtle Beach. The feedback revealed that 48% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 52% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Is Myrtle Beach an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Myrtle Beach, the median home price is 27.5% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 3.5% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Myrtle Beach come in at $65,766, which is 19.1% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Myrtle Beach, the transportation index is 3.3% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Myrtle Beach, the groceries index is 0.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Myrtle Beach, healthcare costs are 2.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Myrtle Beach shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $88,741 | $7,395 | $2,070 | $2,662 |
| Renters | $40,496 | $3,375 | $945 | $1,215 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| South Carolina | 6% | 9% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| South Carolina | 0% | 6.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bucksport, SC | 621 | 84 | 16.1% |
| Conway, SC | 25,463 | 96 | 4.0% |
| Garden City, SC | 11,443 | 97 | 3.0% |
| Socastee, SC | 26,401 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Red Hill, SC | 16,638 | 98 | 1.7% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 34,485 | 104 | 4.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Beverly Hills, CA | 34,487 | 338 | 238.1% |
| Midvale, UT | 34,477 | 115 | 14.9% |
| Cedar City, UT | 34,473 | 105 | 4.8% |
| Kaneohe, HI | 34,467 | 200 | 100.1% |
| Central Islip, NY | 34,526 | 128 | 28.1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 34,485 | 104 | 4.5% |
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