14 Pros and Cons of Living In Myrtle Beach, SC

Thinking about living in Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach’s beautiful beaches and lively oceanfront atmosphere might be the biggest reasons people consider moving here.

This delightful mix of relaxing beach vibes and a wide array of entertainment options attracts millions of visitors each year.

And it’s not just a holiday destination. The number of people moving to Myrtle Beach has been on the rise too.

If you’re thinking about making Myrtle Beach your home, it’s important to look at all the pros and cons of life here, and I’m here to help with that. I’ve been living in Myrtle Beach for a while now and I’ve put together a list of the pros and cons of living here to make your decision a bit easier.

As you read through this list, keep in mind that this is based on my own experiences. Not everyone may agree, and that’s totally fine!

Read: 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Tampa, FL

Pro: A Paradise for Beach Lovers

If you’ve always dreamed of living a beach lifestyle, Myrtle Beach offers the opportunity to make that dream a reality.

Owning a home in Myrtle Beach grants you the freedom to enjoy leisurely walks along the beach at your convenience and transform your weekends into beach getaways.

Myrtle Beach is loaded with beaches extending to 60 miles. The long-covered area with beaches ensures that visitors can enjoy the shorelines even when tourist traffic is at its highest.

However, you will have to avoid the regions where major resorts are built. 

The best areas to live in Myrtle Beach are: 

• North Myrtle Beach
• Carolina Forest
• Surfside Beach 

pro: More Restaurants Than Paris and NYC per Capita! 

The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce states that there are 480 restaurants present in Myrtle Beach for every 100,000 people.

Whereas, when we compare this number to the big cities of New York City and Paris, they have 310 and 367 restaurants available for every 100,000 people. 

The dreamy location of Myrtle Beach makes it the center of attention for many national and international chains.

On the other hand, the dreamy views of this city have a stunning effect on tourists, creating an opportunity for locals to open up restaurants and serve delicious meals. 

Pro: Affordable Costs of Living

Thanks to its vigorous tourism industry, the cash flow of this city is much better.

A better cash flow means better economic conditions, which result in affordable living costs.

PayScale suggests that the Cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 8% lesser than the national average, with housing costs running 32% lower than the national average! 

Living in Myrtle Beach allows you to lead an ideal lifestyle with a desirable location and a low cost of living.

Especially with housing costs 32% lower than the national average, getting a place to live in Myrtle Beach is significantly easier. 

Similar: 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Alaska

Pro: Mild Climate

Myrtle Beach is surrounded by beaches and gets more than 2800 hours per year of sunshine.

Due to its location and exposure to sunlight, Myrtle Beach always has nice weather! 

The weather is usually warm during the summers in Myrtle Beach. However, the location and exposure to the coast result in a more relaxed environment. 

In winter, the temperature ranges between 57-61F. For winters, this temperature is comfortable and ideal for enjoying the season! 

Pro: Attractions

There’s never a dull moment in Myrtle Beach, with its amusement parks, water parks, and entertainment shows.

The amusement parks here have rides for everyone, whether you want something thrilling or more laid-back. The water parks are perfect for hot days, with slides and pools to cool off in.

Myrtle Beach also has a great variety of shows, from music and comedy to magic acts, offering entertainment every night. The boardwalk is a lively place too, filled with shops and eateries, making it a fun spot to stroll and explore.

Pro: Location

Myrtle Beach is well-placed for easy visits to other cities. Drive two hours south and you’re in Charleston, SC, or head north for about an hour and a half to reach Wilmington, NC.

Savannah, GA is a bit further but great for a weekend trip. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a few hours’ drive away for those who love the outdoors. And if you’re up for a three-hour drive, Charlotte, NC offers the perks of a big city.

Con: Tourists mean Traffic

It is no secret that Myrtle Beach is full of tourists all year long. 

The tourism effect on the city results in unbearable traffic for the residents.

Myrtle Beach also experiences debris based on its land location, and the presence of this debris makes it even more challenging to commute! 

Hence, be prepared to deal with annoying traffic if you move to Myrtle Beach!

ProTip: Try to stay off Route 501, especially in the summer. Use Route 544 if you can.

Con: Limited Job Market

The job market in Myrtle Beach is predominantly centered around tourism and hospitality. This focus means that while there are plenty of opportunities in these sectors, especially during the tourist season, finding work in other industries can be challenging.

If your career path or skills lie outside the realms of tourism, hospitality, or related services, you might find your options more restricted here compared to cities with a more diverse economic base.

Con: Higher Crime Rates

This town’s outdoor activities and mesmerizing looks mark Myrtle Beach as a party town. 

While more people may visit Myrtle Beach, it also exposes the party town to crime. The crime rates in Myrtle Beach are significantly higher compared to other Carolina cities. 

Those who like to go all out and party hard are the ones that get into the most trouble. 

As a resident, expect to experience property and violent crimes higher than in other states.

According to a report by Travel Safe, residents of Myrtle Beach have a chance of 1 to 89 experiencing violent crime.

Note: The reason for the high crime rate per capita is due to the comparison of crime incidents to the number of residents, which is relatively low.

During the summer months, the influx of tourists and visitors leads to an increase in the number of reported crimes.

However, the crimes per capita calculation does not take into account the additional population, resulting in an inflated rate.

See: Safest Neighborhoods In Orlando

Con: Seasonal Fluctuations

Around 17 million people visit Myrtle Beach every year. That’s a lot of visitors!

These tourists spend money in local shops, dine at restaurants, and stay in hotels. This is great for the city because all this spending supports businesses and creates jobs for the people living there.

But there’s a flip side. Because Myrtle Beach relies heavily on these visitors, it can face challenges when they aren’t around.

For instance, during colder months or unpredictable weather, fewer tourists might show up.

Some local businesses, heavily reliant on tourist spending, might see a drop in income or even decide to close for a bit during these slow times.

Also, a lot of jobs in the city are tied to the tourist season, which means some folks might be out of work when it’s off-peak.

Con: Humidity and Heat

The climate, particularly in the summer, can be quite hot and humid. This type of weather might not be comfortable for everyone.

Con: Limited Public Transportation

In Myrtle Beach, the public transportation system doesn’t match up to what you’d find in larger cities. It’s not as widespread or reliable. This could be a problem if you’re used to getting around on public transit. Basically, in Myrtle Beach, having a car is pretty much a necessity if you want to get around easily.

Con: Education

In Myrtle Beach, some people are not entirely satisfied with the local educational system. The schools here may not align with the standards some are looking for, particularly if they’re used to the educational offerings in bigger cities.

Con: Rising Cost of Living

While Myrtle Beach is still more affordable than many coastal cities, the cost of living, especially housing, has been on the rise due to its growing popularity.

Don’t let following figures mislead you. In tourist destinations like Myrtle Beach, real estate prices often decrease during the winter months and then rise again in the summer.

In December 2023, the median listing price for a home in Myrtle Beach was $305,000, which is a drop of 11.6% from the previous year. The price per square foot was about $247. Even with this drop, homes generally sold for just 3.43% less than the asking price. It took about 72 days on average to sell a house.

As for 2024, the trend is a bit mixed. The overall average home value in Myrtle Beach slightly increased by 0.4% to $295,796. By the end of 2024, the housing market is expected to grow by 4%.

Is Myrtle Beach, SC A Good Place To Live?

Myrtle Beach a perfect place to live no matter whether you’re chasing a dream job or looking for a place to retire.

However, with its famed attractions comes a surge of tourists, especially during the summer.

This influx can lead to crowded streets and longer wait times at local hotspots. And like many coastal areas, it grapples with its own challenges, like the humid weather that might not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Are you looking for another place to live in South Carolina? Check out:

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