Rows tagged local are specific to Myrtle Beach (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Myrtle Beach, SC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district 4502490 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
93.8
metro-area
#81 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
95.9
metro-area
#69 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.34
metro-area
#81 of 200
Median household income
$50,558
local
#153 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$29,975
local
#192 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.23%
local
#122 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+17.2%
local
#11 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$287,900
local
#96 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.7×
local
#131 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
-0.6%
metro-area
#147 of 200
Price per square foot
$144
local
#81 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
2,001 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,093
local
#122 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
8,374
Median days on market
48
metro-area
#189 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
8.9%
state
#27 of 200
Combined sales tax
7.44%
state
#103 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
6.20%
Capital gains tax
6.40%
state
#140 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.38%
local
#7 of 200
Median property tax paid
$1,083
local
#11 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#19 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$40
state
#4 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
2.33% of value (~$652/yr)
state
#186 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
3
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#75 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
17.1¢/kWh
state
#107 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$154
state
#107 of 200
Gasoline
$3.05/gal
state
#45 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$56
state
#51 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$97
state
#88 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#110 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,900
state
#86 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#152 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$350
state
#149 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
40
metro-area
#40 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
2,000
metro-area
#138 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
2,000
metro-area
#44 of 200
Avg summer high
91°F
metro-area
#136 of 200
Avg winter low
36°F
metro-area
#71 of 200
Annual precipitation
51.0"
metro-area
#167 of 200
Annual snowfall
1.0"
metro-area
#57 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
64%
metro-area
#59 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
8a
Frost window
03-10 → 11-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
530
state
#180 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,900
state
#173 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
19
metro-area
#174 of 200
Parks
22
Hiking areas
8
Golf courses
13
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
3
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.