The Grand Strand refers to a large stretch of beaches on the coast of South Carolina, extending all the way from the fishing village of Little River to historic Georgetown. Learn more about the North Myrtle Beach Grand Strand when you download our free vacation guide.
Low Taxes + Low Cost of Living = More Fun! Many people choose to retire to Myrtle Beach for the low cost of living, warm coastal living and some of the best golf courses in the world. See what others say Myrtle Beach is the best place to retire.
List of hospitals in South Carolina
| Name | City | Hospital beds |
|---|
| Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital | Charleston | 200 |
| Carolina Center for Behavioral Health | Greer | 138 |
| Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center | Hartsville | 116 |
| Cherokee Medical Center | Gaffney | 125 |
So why is this famous beach community so affordable? Because the city has a dark side as well. The violent crime rate in Myrtle Beach is more than four times the national average, according to the most recent FBI data. That's brought home prices down.
The north area of Myrtle Beach, which also stretches into the city of North Myrtle Beach, is a nice part of town that is near a lot of shopping and attractions. Generally, this area of the beach offers condo-style accommodations, which is great for those who need multiple bedrooms.
Myrtle Beach's housing expenses are 30% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 18% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 8% lower than the national average. Myrtle Beach has grocery prices that are 3% higher than the national average.
Overall, Myrtle Beach is more crowded and louder than North Myrtle Beach, though you might not notice it during the busy summer season when roads are crowded with vacationers from around the world. About 10 miles north of the Grand Strand is North Myrtle Beach, a separate city in itself.
Though you will see varying costs between cities and neighborhoods across the state, the average price of a home in South Carolina is currently about $165,800, which is up about 6.8% from last year. That places it about 15% lower than the national average, making it a very affordable place to live.
Alligator Adventure: Located at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, this nature park lives up to its name with hundreds of alligators and crocodiles on the property, including a 20-foot crocodile named Utan and live feeding shows.
Myrtle Beach does have a higher than average crime rate due to its location and the larger number of transients during the summer season.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina gets 52 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year. Myrtle Beach averages 1 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
In Myrtle Beach, the summers are hot and oppressive; the winters are short, cold, and windy; and it is wet and partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 39°F to 88°F and is rarely below 26°F or above 93°F.
