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: Columbia, 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 6 out of the top 25 were from Greenville County.
Click the name to see the population, median home price and rent, median household income, and the cost of living for each city and town.
25. Isle of Palms
Quick Facts:
Population: 4,360 (2019 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $809,600
Median Gross Rent: $1,898
Median Household Income: $79,353
Cost of Living: 179.8 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Isle of Palms
24. Cayce
Quick Facts:
Population: 14,009 (2019 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $128,300 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,024 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $52,5713 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 81.1 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Cayce
23. Greenville
Quick Facts:
Population: 70,720 (2020)
Median Home Price: $332,700 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,013 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $58,279 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 89.8 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Greenville
22. Lake Wylie
Quick Facts:
Population: 13,655 (2020 census)
Median Home Price: $346,100 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,144 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $103,548 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 94.3 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Lake Wylie
21. Hilton Head Island
Quick Facts:
Population: 39,861 (2019 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $488,000 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,330 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $86,171 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 122.1 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Hilton Head Island
20. Charleston
Quick Facts:
Population: 150,227 (2020)
Median Home Price: $369,500 (2017-2021)
Median Gross Rent: $1,400 (2017-2021)
Median Household Income: $76,556 (2017-2021)
Cost of Living: 109.8 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Charleston
19. Blythewood
Quick Facts:
Population: 3,148 (2018 Census)
Median Home Price: $236,800
Median Gross Rent: $1,348
Median Household Income: $89,028
Cost of Living: 100.6 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Blythewood
18. Powdersville
Quick Facts:
Population: 10,025 (2020 census)
Median Home Price: $217,500 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $857 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $65,474 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 95.2 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
17. India Hook
Quick Facts:
Population: 2,051 (2010 census)
Median Home Price: $185,700
Median Gross Rent: $1,121
Median Household Income: $66,438
Cost of Living: 91.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
16. Sullivan’s Island
Quick Facts:
Population: 1,791 (2010 Census)
Median Home Price: $1,797,100
Median Gross Rent: $1,898
Median Household Income: $110,870
Cost of Living: 309.2 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Sullivan’s Island
15. Taylors
Quick Facts:
Population: 23,222 (2020 Census)
Median Home Price: $176,900 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $975 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $62,365 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 90.5 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Taylors
14. Northlake
Quick Facts:
Population: 3,818 (2020 Census)
Median Home Price: $205,800 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $942 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $51,371 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 91.5 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
13. Reidville
Quick Facts:
Population: 678 (2019 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $243,318 (2019)
Median Gross Rent: $800 (2019)
Median Household Income: $102,441 (2019)
Cost of Living: 82.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Reidville
12. Wade Hampton
Quick Facts:
Population: 20,622 (2010 census)
Median Home Price: $244,400
Median Gross Rent: $1,086
Median Household Income: $45,993
Cost of Living: 98.2 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
11. Lexington
Quick Facts:
Population: 23,568 (2020)
Median Home Price: $199,400 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,080 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $71,850 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 91.2 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Lexington
10. Central
Quick Facts:
Population: 5,296 (2021)
Median Home Price: $140,600 (2017-2021)
Median Gross Rent: $759 (2017-2021)
Median Household Income: $36,596 (2017-2021)
Cost of Living: 83 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Central
9. Seven Oaks
Quick Facts:
Population: 14,652 (2020)
Median Home Price: $159,100 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $973 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $61,064 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 87.9 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
8. Mount Pleasant
Quick Facts:
Population: 90,801 (2020)
Median Home Price: $472,900 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,702 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $104,772 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 128.9 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Mount Pleasant
7. Clemson
Quick Facts:
Population: 17,681 (2020)
Median Home Price: $267,000 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $950 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $46,075 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 93.5 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Clemson
6. Irmo
Quick Facts:
Population: 11,569 (2020)
Median Home Price: $145,100 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,214 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $75,344 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 91.0 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Irmo
5. Pendleton
Quick Facts:
Population: 3,489 (2020 Estimates)
Median Home Price: $167,300 (2019)
Median Gross Rent: $732 (2019)
Median Household Income: $28,052 (2019)
Cost of Living: 85.7 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Pendleton
4. Five Forks
Quick Facts:
Population: 17,737 (2020 census)
Median Home Price: $347,100 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,677 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $112,146 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 98.5 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Five Forks
3. Forest Acres
Quick Facts:
Population: 10,617 (2020)
Median Home Price: $196,300 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $992 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $66,265 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 93.6 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Forest Acres
2. Fort Mill
Quick Facts:
Population: 24,521 (2020)
Median Home Price: $305,400 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,062 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $101,699 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 106.1 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
Learn more about Fort Mill
1. Tega Cay
Quick Facts:
Population: 12,832 (2020)
Median Home Price: $358,000 (2016-2020)
Median Gross Rent: $1,545 (2016-2020)
Median Household Income: $125,847 (2016-2020)
Cost of Living: 115.4 compared to the South Carolina average of 89.3.
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 2023 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
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Sources:
Niche.com
Census.gov
