Location: Check on Google Maps
Hilton Head Island is not just for tourists and vacationers. It is actually one of the best places to live in South Carolina as well. It is especially great for retirees, as it was named the 3rd best city to retire in South Carolina.
It is located right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, allowing residents to access the beach all year round and take advantage of South Carolina’s great weather.
It is also just 40 minutes to Savannah, Georgia and 1.5 hours away from Charleston, giving you the choice to enjoy a bigger city and its amenities or to relax on the waterfront at home.
But, it does come at a price. Hilton Head Island’s high standard of living comes with its high cost of living. It is about 34% more expensive than the national average.
13. Moncks Corner
Location: Check on Google Maps
You won’t find many other towns as friendly or welcoming as Moncks Corner. This community of 12,000 residents sits right in the heart of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. In fact, it has maintained its nickname of “The Lowcountry’s Hometown” for over 100 years.
It offers small town charm with easy access to the big city, as Charleston is just a 45 minute drive south, while Columbia is about 1 and a half hours northwest.
One of the town’s biggest draws is a housing market that is still pretty affordable. Average prices here are about 7% lower than the rest of the US, while there are numerous new developments that are also being planned.
That has catapulted Moncks Corner towards becoming South Carolina’s 4th fastest growing town over the last five years.
But, the town has still retained its quaint and wholesome character. Residents here can visit its historic downtown with a main street that offers a handful of locally-owned boutiques and restaurants.
Or, they can take advantage of the town’s easy access to the outdoors and go relax on Lake Moultrie, which is just 5 minutes from the center of town.
There is also the renowned Cypress Gardens swamp that offers scenic paths and boating adventures that the whole family can enjoy.
12. Lexington
Location: Check on Google Maps
Lexington, South Carolina is a small, tight-knit community of 20,000 residents and is a suburb of Columbia that is only 20 minutes away from the state capital. It has been growing in popularity recently, especially among young professionals and families.
Geographically, it is located right on Lake Murray, giving residents easy access to boating and fishing, while it is also just a short drive away from the mountains.
Meanwhile, the town itself offers many things to do. There are many locally-owned stores and a small town feel, but also with enough big city amenities, with large chains like Walmart, The Home Depot, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A all present within the city limits.
The University of South Carolina is also nearby in Columbia.
11. Fort Mill
Location: Check on Google Maps
Fort Mill is another small suburb of Charlotte that sits right at the northern border with North Carolina. It is surrounded by nature and offers tons of hiking and biking trails nearby. There are numerous parks around the city as well.
Fort Mill also features a cute downtown area with many locally-owned shops, bars, and restaurants lining its historic Main Street.
To top it all off, there is a strong focus on education and Fort Mill’s school system has been consistently rated as one of the best in the state, earning an A+ rating from Areavibes. Meanwhile, its crime is also low – 52% below the national average.
10. Columbia
Location: Check on Google Maps
Columbia is South Carolina’s state capital and it offers a diverse amount of things to do for all ages. It is the 2nd largest city in the state, with a population of 131,000 scattered among its revitalized downtown core and surrounding suburbs.
Columbia’s relatively low cost of living, especially for a state capital, makes it quite an attractive place to live. It is 4% cheaper than the national average, while housing costs are 11% lower.
The University of South Carolina is also located right in the middle of the community, giving the city a youthful energy with the buzz of a college town, especially when the USC Gamecocks are in town.
Residents also have easy access to many state parks and lakes nearby, while its downtown offers many amenities, such as top-tier restaurants, fun bars, and cozy cafes.
9. Clemson
Location: Check on Google Maps
Clemson is a picturesque college town of 13,900 people that sits near the northwestern border of the state, close to North Carolina and Georgia. It is home to Clemson University and is a family friendly community filled with students and professors.
The university provides a strong lift to the local economy and offers tons of things to do, including a great nightlife scene and excellent amenities for a town this size.
Clemson is also home to the South Carolina Botanical Garden and is close to Lake Hartwell and many local parks.
The cost of living in Clemson is 1% below the national average, which makes it a pretty good deal considering the high standard of living that it offers.
8. Myrtle Beach
Location: Check on Google Maps
Myrtle Beach is well-known as a hotspot for roughly 14 million vacationers and beachgoers each year. But, it is more than just a tourist town. Of course, residents can benefit from all the amenities that have been built to attract tourists, including the beachfront, amusement park, boardwalk, golf courses, shopping malls, and live music venues.
Additionally, there are many green areas around the city, including Myrtle Beach State Park and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, which is a 55,000 acre wetlands and forest.
There are also an endless number of restaurants, bars, and cafes to try around the city, making it a great choice for young professionals, too.
If that is not enough, Myrtle Beach also has its own international airport, making it very convenient for frequent travelers.
7. Rock Hill
Location: Check on Google Maps
The charming city of Rock Hill is home to 70,000 residents and is the 5th largest city in South Carolina. It is close to Charlotte, sitting at the border between North and South Carolina. Rock Hill is near the smaller towns on our list of Tega Cay and Fort Mill, but is quite a bit larger and thus offers more opportunities for its residents.
For example, the city has a rich history and is filled with museums and art centers. Rock Hill is also home to Winthrop University, which helps add to the cultural vibes of the city.
Meanwhile, there are tons of parks and public plazas in and around Rock Hill that make it an outdoor lover’s dream. If you combine that with the strong sense of community that has been cultivated here, it is easy to see why Rock Hill is one of the best places to live in South Carolina.
6. Mauldin
Location: Check on Google Maps
Mauldin is just 15 minutes from Greenville, yet this city of 25,000 residents has developed its own identity, offering a great blend of safe and affordable living along with great schools and easy access to nature.
The city is routinely named as one of the safest in South Carolina, while it features home prices that are 12% lower than the US average.
Here, you have your choice among numerous tree-lined residential neighborhoods that offer quiet, yet tight-knit communities.
Outsiders have taken notice as these positive attributes have made Mauldin one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.
So, what is there to do around the city? Residents here can take advantage of the massive state-of-the-art Mauldin Sports Center right in the center of town. It features a huge workout area, indoor rock climbing wall, basketball courts, and even instructor-led classes.
Meanwhile, there are several public parks across the city that offer some refreshing green space as well as playgrounds for kids to play.
5. Greenville
FAQs
What is the #1 place to live in South Carolina? ›
1. Charleston. South Carolina's most significant economic hub and tourism area is Charleston.
What is the best part of South Carolina to live in? ›(Locals rate Forest Acres, Irmo, Seven Oaks and Blythewood as four of the best places to live in South Carolina for families.) Columbia has gobs of things to do! You can enjoy the Columbia Museum of Art, South Carolina State Museum, or the four-story, interactive Richland Library.
What is the best city to live 2023? ›...
The List: Best Places To Live In The U.S., According To Experts
- Ann Arbor, Michigan. ...
- Raleigh, North Carolina. ...
- Huntsville, Alabama. ...
- Fayetteville, Arkansas. ...
- Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1. Union. The cheapest place to live in South Carolina is Union. This city is known for its manufacturing industry, which produces goods such as roller bearings, felt, cordage, metal forgings, woven goods, and textile fibers.
What city has the lowest crime rate in South Carolina? ›Bluffton was ranked as the second safest location in South Carolina. The study had Bluffton as one of the safest areas of the state, behind the Midlands city of Edgefield in first place, with showing Bluffton's violent crime rate and property crime rate exponentially lowering every year since 2020.
Where is the best and safest place to live in South Carolina? ›North Myrtle Beach is the safest city in South Carolina, according to our Safety Index.
What part of South Carolina has the best climate? ›Charleston has the best weather in South Carolina. It's sunny most of the year, and the winter season doesn't have much snow. Like the rest of South Carolina, July is the hottest month in Charleston, with temperatures rising to 90 F. However, the cold months are pretty warm as the city has temperatures of 42 F- 60 F.
What city has the best quality of life? ›The 2022 Monocle Survey determined the world's most livable city was Copenhagen, followed by Zurich, Lisbon and Helsinki.
What is the best city to live in financially? ›America's Most Affordable Housing Markets In 2022
If that's what you're looking for, then the winners above—cities with the highest affordability score—should be on the top of your list, especially the top five cities, including Fayetteville, AR, Sioux Falls, SD, Green Bay, WI, Cincinnati, OH, and Davenport, IA.
So which South Carolina city is considered to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the country? Ranking No. 6 overall, Sumter is the fastest-growing city in South Carolina and one of the fastest-growing in America. From 2016 to 2021, the population of Sumter's metropolitan area grew 26.4% from 107,396 to 135,782.
What is the safest place to retire in South Carolina? ›
- Summerville - Coastal region.
- Isle of Palms - Coastal region.
- Georgetown - Coastal region.
- North Charleston - Coastal region.
- Hanahan - Coastal region.
- Greenville - Mountains region.
- Travelers Rest - Mountains region.
- West Columbia - Midlands region.
Mississippi
Mississippi is the cheapest place to live in the United States, with a cost of living 15.6% lower than the national average.
With great weather year-round, rich history, and spectacular seafood, the South Carolina Coast is the ideal choice for your next move. Only 30 miles outside of historic downtown Charleston, the communities of Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island are some of the best places to live in SC.
What is the most popular part of South Carolina? ›1. Charleston. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the South, Charleston is a historic port city packed with antebellum architecture.
What is the poorest place in South Carolina? ›Of the 236 towns in the state with available data, Blackville ranks as the poorest. The typical Blackville household earns just $19,583 a year, 66.4% less than the statewide median household income.
Is it better to live in NC or SC? ›You can't go wrong for the most part when it comes to comparing the weather between North and South Carolina. They are both mild, comfortable places to live. Since South Carolina is closer to the equator, it has a bit warmer temperatures than North Carolina and is likely more ideal for going to the beach year-round.
What is the safest state to live in lowest crime? ›- New Jersey. New Jersey is the safest state in the U.S., according to our results. ...
- New Hampshire. New Hampshire recorded the lowest murder rate in the U.S. during 2020, at less than 1 per 100,000 people. ...
- Maine. ...
- Massachusetts. ...
- Vermont. ...
- Connecticut. ...
- Rhode Island. ...
- Idaho.
Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, and Charleston are three of the best coastal towns in South Carolina for newcomers and area natives alike. Once you have decided on a location, let Pam Harrington Exclusives guide you to a Lowcountry home that you'll love.
Is South Carolina a good place for seniors? ›South Carolina is a good state to live in or retire to because its climate is mild, and the state is, overall, affordable. A survey by Retirement Living has ranked South Carolina as the #4 best state to retire to. South Carolina has a lower cost of living and some beautiful beaches that are warm practically year-round.
What is the downside to living in South Carolina? ›Bad Things About Living In South Carolina
Through significant income and sales taxes. Also, the summer temperatures can be very hot. If you prefer cooler climates. Furthermore, hurricanes and flooding are not uncommon.
What part of South Carolina is the least humid? ›
South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers throughout most of the State. But, an exception does occur in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as outlier pockets of an Oceanic Climate do exist.
Which state has better weather North or South Carolina? ›Of the two states, NC is actually bigger than SC, but SC is closer to the equator, giving it a warmer climate. With its warmer weather, South Carolina has a better year-round beach scene. White sand beaches are plentiful in both states, but SC has more communities near the coast.
Which Southern state has the best weather? ›Depending on your preference for hot weather, Georgia could rank above Florida on the list of top 10 states for best weather. Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah remain a little cooler than Florida from October to April, but at least match Florida's temperatures during July and August.
What are the prettiest towns in South Carolina? ›- 8 Mount Pleasant.
- 7 McClellanville.
- 6 Aiken.
- 5 Hilton Head Island.
- 4 Georgetown.
- 3 Bluffton.
- 2 York.
- 1 Beaufort.
TravelAwaits is proud to announce that our readers voted Abilene, Kansas, the Friendliest Small Town In The U.S. 2022. Full of history and dotted with amazing architecture, this quaint Midwestern town offers plenty of things to do.
What is the German like town in South Carolina? ›Known as a gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town of Walhalla is situated in the northwestern section of the state. Founded in 1850 by German immigrants, the name Walhalla, came from the Norse mythology which means “The Garden of the Gods".
What states to avoid moving to? ›- New Jersey.
- California.
- Illinois.
- New York.
- Connecticut.
- Utah.
- Maryland.
- Rhode Island.
| State | Relative tax burden | % of 65+ with Medicare coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 5.2% | 94.9% |
| Arizona | 8.3% | 96.5% |
| Arkansas | 9.0% | 97.2% |
| California | 9.3% | 94.3% |
...
The best cities in the U.S. to start over.
| Rank | City | Starting over score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis, MO | 71.4 |
| 2 | Buffalo, NY | 68.9 |
| 3 | Hartford, CT | 68.6 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | 67.0 |
Which state has the best life? ›
| ▲ Overall Rank | State | Quality of Life |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 36 |
| 2 | Vermont | 22 |
| 3 | South Dakota | 39 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 37 |
- Gurgaon.
- Bangalore.
- Hyderabad.
- Pune.
- Chennai.
- Live in Boise, Idaho.
- Affordable living in Des Moines, Iowa.
- Winston Salem, North Carolina: among the cheapest cities in USA.
- Live affordably in Naples, Florida.
- Enjoy Lexington, Kentucky.
- > Key Findings:
- > Fastest-Growing Cities:
- > 1. Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida.
- > 2. North Port, Florida.
- > 3. Winter Haven, Florida.
- > 4. New Braunfels, Texas.
- > 5. Port St. Lucie, Florida.
- > 6. Daytona Beach, Florida.
| Rank | White Population Percentage ▼ | City / Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 100.0% | Smyrna, SC / 45 |
| 2. | 99.3% | Salem, SC / 135 |
| 3. | 99.2% | Smoaks, SC / 126 |
| 4. | 98.8% | Edisto Beach, SC / 414 |
DeWitt, Jr. The Town of Hampton - Hampton County's county seat and most populated town - has now been ranked as the municipality with the largest population decline in South Carolina, and two other H.C.
At what age do you stop paying taxes in SC? ›South Carolina taxpayers ages 65 and older do not need to file a state income tax return. In addition, Social Security benefits are not taxed by the state of South Carolina. Overall, Kiplinger rates South Carolina as a state tax-friendly state for retirees.
Why not to retire in South Carolina? ›South Carolina essentially doesn't have top tier health care offerings compared to other states, which can obviously be a major issue for retirees. Health care isn't bad or overtly difficult to access, but it does lag behind some of the more common retirement destinations in the U.S.
Where is the cheapest place to live in 2023? ›1. Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7% below the national average.
What state is the cheapest to buy a house? ›
1. Iowa. Iowa came in at the top of our list of the most affordable homes in America. It takes a mere 10.6 percent of the median household income to afford a home in the Hawkeye State.
Where is the best affordable place to retire? ›...
Here are the seven most affordable states to retire, according to Bankrate:
- Michigan.
- Tennessee.
- Missouri.
- Mississippi.
- Kentucky.
- Oklahoma.
- Georgia.
So which South Carolina city is considered to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the country? Ranking No. 6 overall, Sumter is the fastest-growing city in South Carolina and one of the fastest-growing in America. From 2016 to 2021, the population of Sumter's metropolitan area grew 26.4% from 107,396 to 135,782.
What town has the best weather in South Carolina? ›Charleston has the best weather in South Carolina. It's sunny most of the year, and the winter season doesn't have much snow. Like the rest of South Carolina, July is the hottest month in Charleston, with temperatures rising to 90 F. However, the cold months are pretty warm as the city has temperatures of 42 F- 60 F.
What is the best small town in South Carolina to live? ›Kiawah and Seabrook Island are two of the best small towns in South Carolina. These gated beach communities offer the small town feel with exclusive amenities, just 20 miles from Charleston's city center.
What are the 3 fastest-growing cities? ›- > Key Findings:
- > Fastest-Growing Cities:
- > 1. Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida.
- > 2. North Port, Florida.
- > 3. Winter Haven, Florida.
- > 4. New Braunfels, Texas.
- > 5. Port St. Lucie, Florida.
- > 6. Daytona Beach, Florida.
Georgetown City (Texas) Georgetown wins the top rank as United States' fastest-growing city. This suburb is located about 30 miles north of Austin, Texas's capital. Prominent Victorian-era buildings may be seen in the city's charming central area.
What's the best lake to live on in South Carolina? ›Why Lake Keowee is Considered One of the Best Lakes to Live On. Lake Keowee, which lies in South Carolina's upper corner, has picturesque coves and shorelines that run for miles. As one of the best lakes to live on, Lake Keowee offers a breathtaking landscape and plenty to do.
Is it better to live in Florida or South Carolina? ›Choosing between Florida and South Carolina
Both states offer an excellent quality of life, so it really boils down to personal preference. Florida is the place for you if you're looking for year-round warm weather. If you prefer a slower pace and charming Southern hospitality, South Carolina may be a better fit.
South Carolina has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, making it a great place to raise a family. The major cities in SC have many job opportunities and low unemployment rates. South Carolina is one of the most beautiful states in the country.
Is it smart to move to South Carolina? ›
Moving to South Carolina is a great opportunity to embrace the low-key Southern lifestyle and explore a diverse state with a rich history, fantastic food and scenery that will take your breath away. Its low real estate prices and property taxes make it a destination to not just visit but to live and possibly retire.