Categories
Greenville, LocalPublished April 2, 2025
2025 Top 25 Best Places to Live in South Carolina
South Carolina’s natural beauty, attractions, festivals, thriving economy, and nearly perfect year-round weather makes it a great place to live. It is home to almost 5 million people, a number that keeps growing by the day. A recent study by United Van Lines shows that South Carolina continues to be in the top 5 most popular states for new residents.
South Carolina’s major cities: Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and Greenville remain the best places to live in the state. Across its cities and towns, Niche.com picked out the best places to live in South Carolina, in which 9 out of the top 25 were from the Upstate, SC area.
25. James Island
Quick Facts:
Population: 11,903 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $454,200 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,443 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $100,176 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 112 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about James Island
24. Powdersville
Quick Facts:
Population: 10,025 (2020)
Median Home Price: $318,600 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,231 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $88,125 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 87.7 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Powdersville
Quick Facts:
Population: 27,506 (2023 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $267,500 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,322 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $79,233 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Simpsonville
Quick Facts:
Population: 1634 (2020 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $351,500
Median Gross Rent: $1,407
Median Household Income: $51,111
Cost of Living: 84.8 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Reidville
Quick Facts:
Population: 25,891 (2023 Est.)
Median Home Price: $220,500 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,080 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $90,132 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 84.6 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Quick Facts:
Population: 1,748 (2020 Est.)
Median Home Price: $484,900
Median Gross Rent: $677
Median Household Income: $51,806 (2020)
Cost of Living: 100.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
19. Isle of Palms
Quick Facts:
Population: 4,370 (2023 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $1,192,200
Median Gross Rent: $3,236
Median Household Income: $134,917
Cost of Living: 112 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Isle of Palms
18. Oak Grove
Quick Facts:
Population: 25,891 (2023 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $195,700 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $988 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $75,506 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 90.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
17. Charleston
Quick Facts:
Population: 155,369 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $469,100 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,632 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $90,038 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 112 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Charleston
Quick Facts:
Population: 72,824 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $453,300 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,248 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $68,460 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Greenville
15. Mauldin
Quick Facts:
Population: 28,010 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $242,100 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,401 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $81,027 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Mauldin
Quick Facts:
Population: 44,387 (2023 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $264,300 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,144 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $80,030 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Greer
13. Wade Hampton
Quick Facts:
Population: 21,482 (2020 census)
Median Home Price: $293,300 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,064 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $75,522 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Quick Facts:
Population: 1,891 (2020 Census)
Median Home Price: $1,797,100
Median Gross Rent: $1,898
Median Household Income: $110,870
Cost of Living: 112 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Sullivan’s Island
11. Irmo
Quick Facts:
Population: 12,033 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $193,100 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,412 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $85,137 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 87.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Irmo
Quick Facts:
Population: 23,222 (2020 Census)
Median Home Price: $242,700 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,260 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $71,747 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Quick Facts:
Population: 17,838 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $359,100 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $972 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $49,713 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 88.2 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Clemson
Quick Facts:
Population: 5,322 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $228,500 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $973 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $58,262 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 88.2 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Central
7. Lexington
Quick Facts:
Population: 24,921 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $271,200 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,360 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $83,263 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 90.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Lexington
6. Mount Pleasant
Quick Facts:
Population: 94,232 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $667,100 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $2,026 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $121,364 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 112 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Mount Pleasant
5. Pendleton
Quick Facts:
Population: 3,657 (2023 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $236,900
Median Gross Rent: $891
Median Household Income: $52,784
Cost of Living: 87.7 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Pendleton
Quick Facts:
Population: 17,737 (2020 census)
Median Home Price: $424,600 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $2,139 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $140,668 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 91.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
3. Fort Mill
Quick Facts:
Population: 33,626 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $457,000 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,437 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $127,537 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 100.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Fort Mill
2. Forest Acres
Quick Facts:
Population: 10,376 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $260,500 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,182 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $76,417 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 87.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Forest Acres
1. Tega Cay
Quick Facts:
Population: 14,057 (2023 Est)
Median Home Price: $494,500 (2019-2023)
Median Gross Rent: $1,307 (2019-2023)
Median Household Income: $141,037 (2019-2023)
Cost of Living: 100.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 95.5.
Learn more about Tega Cay
Whether you are a first-time home buyer, a seasoned home buyer, or relocating to South Carolina, there’s an ideal neighborhood for you. South Carolina has a variety of living options- each with its own merit.
The 2025 Best Places to Live in South Carolina ranking is based on several key factors including location, the quality of local schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics, and local amenities to measure the overall quality of an area.
Greenville is located east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Upstate South Carolina, a lush, rolling midpoint between Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Set against the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville SC has stunning natural beauty combined with traditional southern charm. Greenville’s downtown area is one of America’s Best
Downtowns. It is also named one of the 10 Fastest Growing Cities in the US and is consistently ranked among the country’s top cities to do business and best places to live.
Click here to learn more information about why Greenville is a nice place to live.
Comparison to other similar-sized cities
Are you buying or selling a home?
When are you planning on buying a new home?
Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?
Would you like to schedule a consultation now?
When are you planning on selling your home?
or another way