City profile
Myrtle Beach, SC
Atlantic beach town that’s one of the fastest-growing retirement destinations in the U.S.
Climate
Climate type
Warm & sunny
Winter avg
48°F
Summer avg
81°F
Sunny days / yr
215
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$300,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,833
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
92
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.53%
- State income tax (top)
- 6.2%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.50%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 98/100
Top hazards: Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake
Nearest major airport
2 mi to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 32% Democratic / 67% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
38,371
Growth since 2019
+17.3%
Median age
47.3
Residents 65+
23.6%
Median household income
$60,394
Income growth since 2019
+39.8%
Black household income
$27,210
Home ownership
60.5%
Poverty rate
19.0%
Poverty rate, 65+
9.6%
Race & ethnicity: Black 14.7% · White 65.6% · Hispanic 13.2% · Asian 1.2% · Other 5.3%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
1,109 · 236% above the national average
Property crime
5,392 · 247% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Myrtle Beach Police Department. State average: violent 390, property 1,717.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸SC is gaining retirees — a sign of strong retiree services and community
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes (coast)
Highlights
- 60 miles of beaches
- Low property taxes
- Huge retiree community
Trade-offs
- Hurricane & insurance risk
- Tourist crowds in summer
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.