Myrtle Beach, SC

Full City Profile · South Carolina · Horry County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
37,214 Population 1,590/sq mi density
$53,679 Median Income $42,225 per capita
$347,700 Home Value $323,058 Zillow
$1,132 Median Rent 41.2% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
1,121 Violent Crime/100K 5,702 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$53,679 median income, 4.3% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.0 / 5.0
$347,700 home value, $1,132/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,121 violent crimes/100K (195% above avg)
B+
Education
3.7 / 5.0
34.1% bachelor's degree or higher

Myrtle Beach, SC

At a Glance

Median Income
$53,679
29% below
$42,225 per capita
Home Value
$347,700
23% above
Zillow: $323,058
Median Rent
$1,132/mo
3% below
41.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,121/100K
195% above
5,702/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
34.1%
1% above
91.5% high school+
Unemployment
4.3%
19% above
11.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
35.0%
9% above
17.7% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
62°F

How Myrtle Beach Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Myrtle Beach's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
71%
Home Value
123%
Rent
97%
Poverty
95%
Bachelor's
101%
Unemployment
119%
Crime
295%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Myrtle Beach a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Myrtle Beach residents earn a median household income of $53,679 , which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $42,225. The unemployment rate stands at 4.3% (19% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 12,484 business establishments, including 1,398 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Myrtle Beach is $347,700 , 23% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $323,058. Median rent is $1,132/month, with 41.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1990.

Safety & Crime

Myrtle Beach reports 1,121 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 195% above the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 5,702/100K. The murder rate is 12.2/100K.

Education

34.1% of adults in Myrtle Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher (1% above the national average). 91.5% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.7/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Myrtle Beach has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Data Overview

People

Population37,214
Median Age47.0 yrs
Density1,590/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Foreign Born11.9%
Veterans7.3%

Economy

B
Median Income$53,679
Per Capita$42,225
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty11.8%
County GDP$22,774M
Avg Weekly Wage$924

Housing

B
Home Value$347,700
Rent$1,132
Ownership61.3%
Zillow$323,058
Housing Units24,185
Rent Burden41.2%

Crime

F
Violent1,121/100K
Property5,702/100K
Murder12.2/100K
Assault744/100K
Burglary451/100K

Health

Obesity35.0%
Diabetes12.8%
Smoking17.7%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
Rain53.6 in/yr
AQI40 (Good)
Elevation26 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+34.1%
High School+91.5%
Graduate+10.6%
School Score5.7/10

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute19 min
Broadband90.7%
Internet Speed198 Mbps
EV Stations35
Libraries12

Did You Know?

Myrtle Beach was founded in 1936.
The median home in Myrtle Beach was built in 1990.
The nearest airport is Myrtle Beach International (3 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.448 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
13.1% of the population has a disability.
11.9% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 198 Mbps.
There are 1,398 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 78 fatal vehicle crashes.