15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

Tropical beaches and sea islands, South Carolina is located in the southeastern United States and has many cities and towns to explore Hilton Head Island, the famous Myrtle Beach, and of course, Charleston, home to Fort Sumter; The list of reasons to love the little old SC goes on and on.

This state once thrived on agriculture and natural resources, but in more modern times, there is a large industry for producing steel and machinery, so there is no shortage of jobs. Regarding employment, what other factors should we consider when looking for a new home?

Some would say access to public schools, others the price of housing, and others would be highly focused on finding a city with the lowest crime rate. We think of all these factors, and a few more, when looking for a new home. 

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

We realize that finding all this information in one place can be challenging. So we took up the challenge and put together our list of the 15 best places to live in South Carolina, considering all the essential facts, figures, and statistics. Yours

Contents

  • 1. Five forks
  • 2. Tega Cay
  • 3. Mount Pleasant
  • 4. Seven Oaks
  • 5. Clemson
  • 6. Moulin du Fort
  • 7. Sullivan’s Island
  • 8. Acres of forest
  • 9. Lexington
  • 10. Charleston
  • 11. Mauldin
  • 12. Blythewood
  • 13. Irmo
  • 14. Palm Island
  • 15. Greenville

With tropical beaches and sea islands, South Carolina sits in the southeastern United States and has a host of beloved towns and villages to explore.

Hilton Head Island, the infamous Myrtle Beach, and of course, Charleston, home to Fort Sumter; the list of reasons to love the little old SC goes on and on! This state once thrived on agriculture and natural resources, but in more modern times, there is a large industry for producing steel and machinery, so there is no shortage of jobs.

Speaking of jobs, what other factors should we consider when looking for a new home? Some would say access to public schools; others would say housing prices; some would focus heavily on finding a city with the lowest crime rates. In reality, it’s all of these factors, and a few more, that we think about when looking for a new home.

We realize that finding all of this information in one place can be quite a challenge. So we’ve stepped up to the plate and created our list of the 15 best places to live in South Carolina, considering all the essential facts, figures, and statistics. For you!

1. Five forks

Five Forks is in the heart of Greenville County, a short drive from Greenville itself. There’s a lot to be said for a flush town like this, home to 16,398 people; there’s everything you could want in a home here.

It is a reasonably wealthy region compared to the rest of the country. The median household income is $115,050 per year. With that in mind, the median home value of $264,200 isn’t a real issue; the community here is doing just fine on its own.

Locals quickly notice how the steady influx of jobs to the area keeps the local economy thriving and the people themselves thriving. What more could you want?

2. Tega Cay

Tega Cay is an excellent place to live, near the water, with a community of only 8000 people; there is a small town in this suburb of Charlotte.

Thanks to the small vigilant community, there is virtually no crime on Tega Cay, which provides new and old residents with great peace of mind.

Although the median household income is in the six figures, there remains diversity within the residence in terms of ethnicity and economic background. Like in Five Forks, this helps keep the area fresh and vibrant.

While renting is an option on Tega Cay, we’re inclined to back the masses here and say it’s best to buy; only 7% live in rented accommodation, and the average rent exceeds $1,300 per month.

3. Mount Pleasant

There seems to be a Mount Pleasant wherever you go in the world, but South Carolina’s Mount Pleasant is arguably the nicest.

Nearby the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, there are endless opportunities to get out and explore South Carolina’s versatile landscapes.

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

Being so close to breathtaking scenery comes at a cost; the cost of living here is relatively high compared to the rest of the county.

There is a significant gap between the average household income of $77,639 and the median home value of $372,000. It suggests that while Mount Pleasant may seem a little exclusive at first glance, it could be your next home if you play your cards right and use common sense in your investments.

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

4. Seven Oaks

Bordering Lake Murray is the suburb of the state capital of Columbia, Seven Oaks. This prosperous suburb could very well be classified as a small town in its own right for the 16,185 people who call this neighborhood home.

Seven Oaks is our most affordable neighborhood on the list to date. Prospective tenants will be pleased to learn that monthly rent in the Seven Oaks area is $814 per month, bingo! And with 42% of existing residents living in rented properties, the choice is more than ample.

A recent surge of millennial interest has, in turn, created an authentic family atmosphere in the neighborhood and made Seven Oaks one of the best suburbs to raise a family in South Carolina.

5. Clemson

Clemson stretches from Pickens County to Anderson County and is home to the prestigious Clemson University. An annual influx of new students keeps Clemson on its toes and, in turn, creates a friendly, open, and welcoming atmosphere in the city.

Not just students will be happy to hear about Clemson’s low rent value, falling to an average of $785 per month. 

This neighborhood has almost instant appeal for those who can split the rent two or even three ways. Let’s not forget that 58% of residents live in rented accommodation, so there is no shortage of housing options here.

Clemson is home to Fort Hill Plantation and the South Carolina Botanical Garden, knowing that the city’s motto, “in season, in every season,” makes a little more sense.

6. Moulin du Fort

Just east of Tega Cay is the next Charlotte suburb to make our list, Fort Mill. It’s an incredibly affordable area to live in, and being so close to downtown means jobs are readily available.

At first glance, home prices here are highly desirable; on average, the home will require an investment of $192,500.

 If you have less than $100,000 to play with, it might be advisable to look elsewhere because although the average price of a home is under $200,000, properties that come on the market often exceed $450,000. $.

That said, the annual income is only about the national average at $61,773 per year; it shows that it pays to be reasonable with your salary.

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

7. Sullivan’s Island

Indeed, an island in terms of geography, Sullivan’s Island is hardly that far from South Carolina, so there are no real island vibes here! Sullivan’s Island is connected to the mainland by Highway 703.

Understandably, Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse is the neighborhood’s most beloved landmark, but Fort Moultrie is also a close contender. With only 2,000 people living in this idyllic location, best prepare to read the median home value here…

That’s $1,110,000! Although some properties on the market are as low as $745,000, you need seven figures to play with if Sullivan’s Island is your go-to!

8. Acres of forest

The suburb of Forest Acres is coming down to earth with a soft landing, a humble group of 10,545 people lives there, and the cost of living has also come down to earth and is near perfect for the average working family.

Forest Acres is a good all-rounder in terms of cost of living, public school access, and residents’ diversity. The neighborhood is home to a highly educated group, over 30% of who have bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

If living surrounded by hard-working families who can carry on a conversation around a dinner table sounds up your street, look no further than Forest Acres.

9. Lexington

A diverse, family-friendly community awaits you in Lexington. Much like Forest Acres, this home of 19,447 identifies itself as its town rather than a suburb of Columbia.

Being close to mountains, lakes, and adventure trails means there’s so much to explore from a base in Lexington, plus it’s only a two-hour drive from the coast. Weekend home on Sullivan’s Island, we hear you kidding. Dark.

It’s a reasonably affordable neighborhood for those with a modest dual income. The home value here is $179,000 on average, and looking at what is available on the market right now, you will surely get some change from this investment.

10. Charleston

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

Back on the perfect South Carolina coast, here we go. It is a port city founded in 1670, which makes it one of the oldest in the country. Speaking of old, Charleston has an old-world charm with its cobblestone streets and antebellum homes painted in pastel shades of yellow and gray.

It’s an expensive place to gamble, but Sullivan’s Island isn’t costly. The average home value is $255,600, but with 127,694 people living here earning around $55,500 a year, affordability lurks behind the expensive exterior.

In terms of public education, Charleston is the place to be; with 68 schools in the district and several offering a Montessori style of learning, parents are offered a wide range of options for their youngsters.

11. Mauldin

Mauldin is, like Five Forks, a township in its own right, living in the shadow of Greenville. It should be mentioned that the variety and quality of houses in Mauldin are fantastic.

There are $145,000 properties for smaller budgets with three bedrooms and good-sized gardens. For those over $300,000, Mauldin offers you the opportunity to invest in a charming 3-bedroom manor-style home with a matching double garage.

With an average-sized population of 24,300, you won’t be surprised to learn that there are 90 schools in this district. 18% of residents are school-aged, so the children have a large community of young people to grow up with.

12. Blythewood

Blythewood is north of Columbia and Forest Acres. This small suburb has a rural feel due to the large plots of land on which each house has been built.

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

Despite the rural atmosphere, house prices have remained affordable, but with only 2,400 people living here, attractive homes appear on the market once in a blue moon.

In terms of schooling, those who want their children to be able to boast of having attended the best schools in the state stick to Charleston. There is nothing wrong or underperforming in Blythewood schools, only that they miss out on top places.

13. Irmo

Located on the shores of Lake Murray in Lexington County, we find Irmo, a northwest suburb of the state capital Columbia.You would think that being so close to the waterfront, house prices would be exorbitant; you would be wrong!The average home here is only $124,700; not only that but there’s also great value at Irmo.

For an investment of $134,900, you can move straight into a spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath family home on Windbreak Crescent. With evergreens providing privacy and a double garage for the big boys’ toys, there’s much to love about Irmo’s homes.

14. Palm Island

15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina: 2023

It would be inaccurate to say that the Isle of Palms is Sullivan’s Island for the poor, as home prices here are always near the million-dollar mark and getting closer every day. The homes here are lavish and elegant, and each property can proudly boast its mansion status.

Being such an exclusive and high-priced area, the resident population is far from diverse. Earning over $95,000 per household per year, there’s a community atmosphere, but with private driveways and fences so high, no one will come to borrow a cup of sugar, that’s for sure!

15. Greenville

Once again, we return to earth and land in Greenville. We’ve discussed the suburbs of this thriving city before, and despite ranking 15th on our list, Greenville certainly deserves its place here.

Rent in Greenville is incredibly affordable, averaging $765 per month. Being this low means many renters will find themselves able to rent larger, more modern homes than elsewhere in the state.

Being a city where you can access all the social opportunities you want, you’re never too far from a hip bar, a trendy workout class, or an art exhibition to keep your mind racing.

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15 Best Places To Live In South Carolina 2023