The Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach, SC: A Homebuyer’s Guide

The cost of living in Myrtle Beach, SC, is often a key factor in deciding whether this beautiful coastal city is a good fit. Part of the legendary Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of beach along the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach has much to offer homeowners seeking to be close to the shoreline. In addition to the waves and dunes, you’ll find a vibrant city packed with lovely homes, abundant amenities, and very reasonable living expenses. 

If finding your dream home in this appealing city is your goal, let’s take a look at the average cost of living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to help you better prepare for a potential move here. 

Summary:

• Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach, SC

• Housing Costs in Myrtle Beach, SC

• Other Living Expenses in Myrtle Beach, SC

  • Grocery Shopping and Dining Out in Myrtle Beach

  • Transportation Options and Fuel Costs in Myrtle Beach

  • Healthcare and Insurance Costs in Myrtle Beach

  • Utilities, Internet, and Phone Expenses in Myrtle Beach

  • Tax Rates in the Myrtle Beach Area

  • Recreation Costs in Myrtle Beach 

• Average Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC

• Myrtle Beach Cost of Living Comparison

• Average Cost of New Construction Homes in Myrtle Beach by Neighborhood

• Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach, SC, Conclusion

Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach, SC

The cost of living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is 7% lower than the national average, according to Payscale® in November 2024. Plus, RentCafe® reports that Myrtle Beach living expenses are 1% lower than the state’s average as of September 2024. 

Housing Costs in Myrtle Beach, SC

According to Payscale’s November 2024 data, housing costs in Myrtle Beach are an astonishing 32% lower than the national average. As of November 2024, the median home listing price in Myrtle Beach was $299.9K, according to Realtor.com®, with home sales averaging around $340.3K. 

For renters, Zillow® finds that the cost to rent a single-family home in November 2024 is $1,700 monthly, while Apartments.com® reports the average monthly rent of a studio apartment to be $1,134 and a two-bedroom to be $1,622. 

Other Living Expenses in Myrtle Beach, SC

Beyond housing, the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, cost of living should also factor in essential expenses like food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. Let’s break down costs for each of those categories next.

Grocery Shopping and Dining Out in Myrtle Beach

Groceries in Myrtle Beach are roughly 1% higher than the national average per Payscale as of November 2024, which also offers this snapshot of what several household staples generally cost:

• Loaf of bread: $4.00

• A gallon of milk: $4.71

• A dozen eggs: $3.49

• Bananas per pound: $0.73

• A hamburger: $5.58

As for eating out, whether you want a sandwich from a local favorite for a few bucks or are looking to splurge on a date night, you’ll have no problem finding a restaurant to fit your budget and taste, including dozens of restaurants serving fresh seafood. According to Numbeo®, as of January 2025, an inexpensive meal in Myrtle Beach is about $15. A more upscale dining experience for two people at a mid-range restaurant averages around $65.

Transportation Options and Fuel Costs in Myrtle Beach

Visitors and residents alike have several options for getting around Myrtle Beach. If you want to leave the car at home, you can hop on the Coast RTA bus system and pay $1 per ride with a cap of $3.50 per day as of November 2024. During the summer, the city also has a free Entertainment Shuttle, which runs a fixed route to several popular spots, such as Murrells Inlet and Surfside Beach.

For a Myrtle Beach cost of living comparison, Payscale finds that transportation-related expenses are about 11% higher in Myrtle Beach than in other cities in the country as of November 2024. The overall cost of gas in Horry County, as of November 2024, was $2.80, according to AAA®. The city has parking meters with prices that vary depending on location; the average cost is $2/hour as of November 2024.

Healthcare and Insurance Costs in Myrtle Beach

The cost of healthcare in Myrtle Beach is 8% lower than the national average, according to Payscale’s November 2024 data. Here are some general expenses and their approximate cost per Payscale:

• Doctor’s visit: $128.80

• Dentist: $105.91

• Optometrist: $117.97

• Prescriptions: $223.62

• Veterinary appointment: $66.11

The cost of medical insurance varies, depending on your insurance provider and plan. ValuePenguin® reports that the cost of healthcare coverage in South Carolina typically starts around $394 monthly, with the average rate of health insurance hovering around $510 as of December 2024.  

Utilities, Internet, and Phone Expenses in Myrtle Beach

One potential drawback to the overall average cost of living in Myrtle Beach, SC, is that utility bills can be about 19% higher than the national average, with a monthly energy bill running roughly $237 and a phone bill around $230, per Payscale in November 2024. CNET® reports internet fees range between $20–$300, depending on the provider and plan (November 2024).

Tax Rates in the Myrtle Beach Area

The city of Myrtle Beach has a unique tax situation compared to other areas in Horry County or even within South Carolina. The Avalara® tax calculator finds the combined state and local sales tax in Myrtle Beach is about 9% on non-food items as of November 2024. However, you could find yourself paying upwards of 11.5% sales tax on food in Myrtle Beach city limits, according to research done by The Sun News® in February 2024.

As for property tax, South Carolina has one of the lowest rates in the country at roughly 0.53%, according to SmartAsset™ as of November 2024.

Recreation Costs in Myrtle Beach

You can’t live in Myrtle Beach and not frequent the beach! Luckily, parking at any of Myrtle Beach’s shores is only $3 per hour or $15 to park for the day, per the city’s website as of November 2024. Other fun activities and attractions in the Myrtle Beach area—and their cost—include the following:

• Ripley’s® Aquarium: $39.99 per ticket (ages 12 and older)

• Broadway at the Beach: Free

• Hollywood Wax Museum: $36.99 (ages 12 and older)

Average Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC

According to ZipRecruiter®, the average salary of residents of Myrtle Beach was $42,641 in September 2024, which equates to roughly $21 per hour. A few of the top industries in the area include major employers in the aerospace, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and marine fields, per the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development website as of November 2024.

Myrtle Beach Cost of Living Comparison

If you need any more evidence as to why Myrtle Beach should be on your list as one of the best places to live, consider the average cost of living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, compared to these major cities: 

• Myrtle Beach, SC vs. Houston, TX: The cost of living in Houston is lower than the national average at 6% less, according to Payscale in November 2024, and housing costs are also less in Houston at 19% below the national average. However, unlike Houston, residents of Myrtle Beach are conveniently close to beautiful beaches. Plus, BestPlaces finds that as of November 2024, the cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 6.7% lower than in Houston.

• Myrtle Beach, SC vs. Charlotte, NC: The cost of living in Charlotte is 2% below the national average as of November 2024, per Payscale. While attractive, Myrtle Beach comes out on top at 7% less. Homes in Charlotte are also more expensive than in Myrtle Beach, with BestPlaces in November 2024 sharing that homes cost 27.5% more in Charlotte than in the Myrtle Beach area.

• Myrtle Beach, SC vs. Savannah, GA: Both these coastal cities are alluring for their access to beautiful beaches, and they rival one another in terms of cost of living. Both are 7% less than the national average, according to Payscale in November 2024. Homes are also cheaper in both cities. However, Myrtle Beach tends to be a more affordable place to live for childcare, with BestPlaces reporting that this expense is 24% cheaper in Myrtle Beach as of November 2024.

Average Cost of New Construction Homes in Myrtle Beach by Neighborhood

Before you book the movers, you need to find the perfect location to put down roots. In Myrtle Beach, you’ll discover some ideal neighborhoods to build your dream home.

North Myrtle Beach

About 20 miles north of its sister city, North Myrtle Beach is closer to the North Carolina border. It has a sprinkling of nearby golf courses and is home to Lewis Ocean Bays Heritage Preserve, an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. North Myrtle Beach is also known for its quaint downtown area, lined with boutiques and local restaurants, and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. 

According to NewHomeSource® in November 2024, the cost of building a new home in North Myrtle Beach starts in the mid $600Ks. Pulte® new construction homes in North Myrtle Beach start in the low $300Ks. 

Myrtle Beach

If you want an address in the heart of Myrtle Beach, you can find a diverse array of options. While there may be more traffic during peak tourist seasons, you benefit from living conveniently close to the city’s amazing attractions and activities, including exciting amusement parks, the local pier and Ferris wheel, and, of course, the ocean.

The cost of building a new home in Myrtle Beach ranges from the low $400Ks to the mid $700Ks, according to NewHomeSource in November 2024. Our new construction homes in Myrtle Beach start in the mid $300Ks.

Carolina Forest

Carolina Forest began as a preplanned community in the 1990s but has since expanded to encompass the surrounding area, including several grocery stores, strip malls, a public library, and the Tanger® Outlets Myrtle Beach. 

New construction homes in Carolina Forest start in the high $400Ks, per NewHomeSource in November 2024. 

Socastee

Socastee is a mix of residential and commercial, close to acres of green space in the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. Socastee is less than 10 miles from the city limits of Myrtle Beach, meaning residents are conveniently close to grocery stores, restaurants, activities, and the waves of the Atlantic. 

New homes in Socastee start in the mid $300Ks, according to NewHomeSource as of November 2024. Browse our new construction homes in SayeBrook, approximately three miles from Socastee, which start in the mid $400Ks.

Cost of Living in Myrtle Beach, SC, Conclusion

Not only is the cost of living in Myrtle Beach less than the national average, but residents here also get to enjoy the city’s Southern charm and attractive coastal lifestyle. This incredible city offers the feel of a peaceful oasis all year long, and along with such reasonable living expenses, Myrtle Beach can help keep more money in your wallet while being a wonderful place to live.

Explore new construction homes in Myrtle Beach, SC, today, or browse more Pulte blogs. 

Written By: Alexandra Shimalla, Freelance Journalist

Last Updated: 5/7/25