| Index | North Myrtle Beach | South Carolina | National |
| Cost of living | 112 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 143 | 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 North Myrtle Beach? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in North Myrtle Beach stands at 112, making it 12% 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.
Housing costs significantly influence the North Myrtle Beach cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 42.8%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 6 locals to get their views on the cost of living in North Myrtle Beach. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 100% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 0% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is North Myrtle Beach affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in North Myrtle Beach, the median home price is 55.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 13.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with North Myrtle Beach boasting a median household income of $93,262, 14.7% higher 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 North Myrtle Beach, the transportation index is 3.3% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In North Myrtle Beach, the housing index is 42.8% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In North Myrtle Beach, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 0%.
The cost of living data for North 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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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $103,080 | $8,590 | $2,405 | $3,093 |
| Renters | $62,890 | $5,241 | $1,467 | $1,887 |
| 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. |
| Calabash, NC | 2,115 | 96 | 4.3% |
| Little River, SC | 9,987 | 99 | 1.4% |
| Atlantic Beach, SC | 243 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 34,485 | 104 | 4.5% |
| Carolina Shores, NC | 4,539 | 108 | 8.3% |
| North Myrtle Beach, SC | 17,032 | 112 | 11.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Opelousas, LA | 17,032 | 88 | 11.7% |
| Abington, MA | 17,033 | 140 | 40.3% |
| Pendleton, OR | 17,038 | 105 | 5.3% |
| Truckee, CA | 17,023 | 158 | 58.3% |
| Yorkton, SK | 17,021 | n/a | |
| North Myrtle Beach, SC | 17,032 | 112 | 11.8% |
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