18 Best Places to Live in South Carolina, 2024

Are you looking for the best places to live in South Carolina? From vibrant downtowns full of nightlife and culture to peaceful suburbs with top-rated schools — we have all the options covered! And we've even included an exclusive overview from ViewCation, providing further insight into what makes these places not just attractive, but truly special.

Whether you're a city dweller, an outdoor enthusiast or looking for a family-friendly atmosphere, you'll find somewhere for you in South Carolina. So read on and get inspired as we break down each location's highlights and perks!

18 Best Places to Live in South Carolina

1. Charleston

• Population: 153,672
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $2,201
• Median Household Income: $76,556
• Walk Score: 40
• Transit Score: 24
• Bike Score: 50

Charleston, the biggest city in South Carolina, was given its name after King Charles II and features suburbs, a booming nightlife, and diverse neighborhoods. Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its history is evident at every turn. The city is home to beautiful antebellum architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic churches. Charleston is also a cultural hub, with a vibrant arts scene, world-class museums, and award-winning restaurants.

Charleston is located in the scenic Lowcountry region of South Carolina. The city is surrounded by marshes, beaches, and forests. It enjoys a mild climate year-round, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-60s in the winter to the mid-80s in the summer. This makes it a great place to enjoy outdoor activities all year long, from swimming and boating in the summer to golfing and hiking in the winter.

No matter where you live, people flock to Charleston for its affordable housing and a high quality of life. The city also features a stunning coastal backdrop and outdoor beauty.

2. Columbia

• Population: 139,698
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,385
• Median Household Income: $48,791
• Walk Score: 86
• Transit Score: 56
• Bike Score: 53

Living in South Carolina means surrounding yourself in history. Columbia was given the nickname Soda City for its old-school abbreviated nickname, “Cola”. As the South Carolina capital, Columbia is home to history stops including the South Carolina State Museum, the Columbia Museum of Art, and the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.

Students attending the University of South Carolina make themselves at home in Columbia with plenty of pubs, cafes, and dining to choose from. In the first quarter of 2021, the most significant migrations to Columbia came from within the Carolinas, with Charlotte, North Carolina, making up the biggest portion at 8.8% of the moves into the city. Behind Charlotte were Charleston, South Carolina, at 5.5%, and Greenville, South Carolina, at 4.8%.

3. North Charleston

• Population: 118,608
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,842
• Median Household Income: $52,264
• Walk Score: 26
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 38

The third-largest city in South Carolina is North Charleston and serves as one of the nation’s largest industrial centers. It’s also the only United States city that manufactures commercial airplanes and automobiles.

Get to know the city’s history at the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center or the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. South Carolina cities aren’t known for their sports franchises, but North Charleston is also home to the first professional ice hockey team, the South Carolina Stingrays, a mid-level professional hockey league ECHL. After grabbing a bite downtown, locals love catch a Stingrays game.

4. Mount Pleasant

• Population: 94,545
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $2,739
• Median Household Income: $106,216
• Walk Score: 22
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 38

Mount Pleasant is among the safest towns in South Carolina, separated from Charleston by the Cooper River. The roots of this town go as far back as the 18th century, and today, Mount Pleasant has historic houses, stately live oak trees, and a stunning landscape.

Outdoor stops include Mt. Pleasant Pier, Palmetto Islands County Park, Splash Island at Palmetto Islands County Park, Laurel Hill County Park, and Future Park. You can also explore South Carolina’s regional history at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Boone Hall Plantation, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site.

Afterward, grab a bite to eat at Page’s Okra Grill, Burton’s Grill and Bar of Mt. Pleasant, or Graze Restaurant, some local favorites.

5. Rock Hill

• Population: 75,349
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,526
• Median Household Income: $55,706
• Walk Score: 28
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 31

Nicknamed Football City USA, Rock Hill, South Carolina is the fifth-largest city in the state and the largest in York County. Rock Hill is home to multiple historic sites, including twelve contiguous buildings dating back to the 1840s and plenty of nature.

Rock Hill offers thirty-one parks with exceptional outdoor amenities to keep you busy all weekend. Rock Hill was in the top 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance multiple times and was named one of the top 50 places to live in the country by Time’s Money.

It’s easy to find community with the numerous seasonal events hosted by the city each year, including the Come See Me Festival, Red, White, and Boom Festival, Blues and Jazz Festival, Underexposed Film Festival YC, and the ChristmasVille Rock Hill winter festival.

6. Greenville

• Population: 72,310
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,793
• Median Household Income: $65,513
• Walk Score: 43
• Transit Score: 19
• Bike Score: 39

Nestled in the northwestern corner of South Carolina, Greenville, is conveniently located between Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The lack of extreme temperatures makes Greenville a desirable place for anyone looking to get outdoors and enjoy nature.

Check out Falls Park on the Reedy, GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail, or Paris Mountain State Park.People throughout South Carolina. In the first quarter of 2021, the most significant migrations to Greenville came from within the state, with Spartanburg, South Carolina making up the biggest portion at an astonishing 19.0% of the moves into the city. Behind Spartanburg was Columbia, South Carolina at 4.0%, and New York, New York at 3.9%.

7. Summerville

• Population: 51,617
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,830
• Median Household Income: $64,507
• Walk Score: 21
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 36

Summerville is home to blooming azaleas found in public and private gardens that draw countless tourists to the town each year. The annual Flowertown Festival every year is the largest of its kind in the state and celebrates arts, crafts, and nature.

Summerville is teeming with history, with five different city locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You won’t find booming nightlife in Summerville, but there’s plenty of history in the Historic District, Old White Meeting House Ruins and Cemetery, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, Middleton Place, or Ashley River Road.

8. Hilton Head Island

• Population: 38,069
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $3,309
• Median Household Income: $87,884
• Walk Score: 13
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 46

Hilton Head Island features 12 breathtaking miles of Atlantic Ocean beachfront properties, making it a hot vacation destination and popular place to live. As one of the most popular places to live in South Carolina, tourism practically doubles the population in summertime.

Hilton Head Island also enjoys access to eight public beach access spots, including Folly Field Beach Park, Alder Lane Beach Access, Mitchelville Beach Park, and Driessen Beach Park, making it one of the best destinations in South Carolina. In addition to the beach access, the island boasts 22 island parks. Spend time exploring the local-favorites at Shelter Cove Community Park, Jarvis Creek Park, Low Country Celebration Park, and Chaplin Community Park.

9. Sumter

• Population: 42,757
• Median Household Income: $49,040
• Walk Score: 25
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 37

Sumter is conveniently located near the state’s center and is one of the most affordable places to live in South Carolina. You're never too far from Charleston, Myrtle beach, or Colombia, and the city itself has plenty of employment opportunities in food processing, aviation, advanced manufacturing, and more.

The anchor of the community is the Shaw Air Force Base. It is worth mentioning that the city’s crime rate is above average, so if you're looking for a quieter neighborhood or a better city to raise a family, you may look elsewhere.

10. Clemson

• Population: 17,843
• Median Household Income: $48,335
• Walk Score: 73
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 57

Clemson is one of the best small towns in South Carolina, offering a number of unique amenities that you would typically only find in larger cities, thanks to the fact that it is home to Clemson University.

Beyond the incredible Athletics program at the university, you can also explore the beautiful South Carolina Botanical gardens nearby or catch one of the many performance art productions put on by the school. Some of the key Industries Clemson include healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

11. Spartanburg

• Population: 38,584
• Average 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,327
• Median Household Income: $57,627
• Walk Score:29
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 32

If you're looking to live amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains, then look no further than Spartanburg. Often referred to as “Sparkle City,” Spartanburg is home to seven colleges and universities, and is one of the best places in the state to raise a family.

Beyond the plentiful higher education opportunities, you'll find employment in the automotive industry or for Adidas America. Those who live in Spartanburg are only an hour's drive from Greenville for more leisure and economic amenities.

12. Bluffton

• Population: 34,493
• Average 2-Bedroom Rent: $1,670
• Median Household Income: $89,245
• Walk Score: 65
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 47

With a low crime rate and plenty of great schools, Bluffton is one of the best places in South Carolina to raise a family. The area offers plenty of relaxing amenities, as it hasn't been commercialized as much as Myrtle Beach or Charleston.

However, you can get to one of Hilton Head’s many beaches in as little as 30 minutes, or head to Savannah, Georgia, in around 45 minutes. Tourism is definitely the economic driver of Bluffton, and you'll find plenty of economic opportunities in aerospace and healthcare.

13. Sullivan’s Island

• Population: 2,200
• Walk Score: 42
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 57

If you're looking for a beachfront setting to lay down your roots, we recommend checking out Sullivan’s Island. As one of the most charming towns in South Carolina, it’s only home to a few thousand people, and many say it is one of the best places to raise a family in South Carolina, thanks to the exemplary school system and low crime rates.

There's plenty of shoreline to enjoy, meaning you'll likely get involved in water activities, such as surfing, skiing, and fishing. It's beachfront living without beachfront costs, and what more could you want?

14. Fort Mill

• Population: 30,940
• Median Household Income: 120,665
• Walk Score: 61
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 35

Fort Mill is a relatively large town, complete with plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, thanks to the driving historic district, which is filled to the brim with charm. Beyond enjoying nights out, Fort Mill sits adjacent to miles of hiking and biking trails, and has some of the best golf courses in the state.

Fort Mill High is one of the highest ranking public schools in the state, so it's a great place to consider if you're a family looking to relocate.

15. Isle of Palms

• Population: 4,318
• Median Household Income: $134,917
• Walk Score: 17
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 32

Isle of Palms is another one of South Carolina’s coastal towns, with more than seven miles of beautiful shorelines, beachfront restaurants, and quick commute access to downtown Charleston. Whether you're a young professional, family, or retiree, you can enjoy the small beach town vibe that Isle of Palms has to offer.

However, with such close access to Charleston, you'll never feel stranded on an island. Plus, the Charleston County School District is the second best district in the state.

16. Tega Cay

• Population: 13,689
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,554
• Median Household Income: $130,571
• Walk Score: 8
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 21

Tega Cay is a suburb of Charlotte and is one of the best small towns in South Carolina. At just under four square miles, this little Peninsula is very close knit, and residents will often gather near the lake to take part in annual events, such as the Community Yard Sale or the City Birthday Party.

As you could imagine, this lakeside community has plenty of water-centric pastimes, and just about everyone enjoys boating.

17. Lake City

• Population: 5,996
• Median Household Income: $34,260
• Walk Score: 69
• Transit Score: —
• Bike Score: 50

Lake City is nestled in the northeastern part of South Carolina, and nowhere will you find as many awesome year-round events, such as wine walks, beer fests, and holiday celebrations.

Walking through the downtown area, you'll be surrounded by vibrant colors and diverse culture, with many art installations and murals lining the streets to pay homage to the city’s rich history. Many people refer to the town as Bee City, USA, as it was the first town in South Carolina to start a City Bee program to uphold sustainable pollination habitats.

18. Chester

• Population: 5,187
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,300
• Median Household Income: $31,210
• Walk Score: 48
• Transit Score: --
• Bike Score: 35

While Chester may be a small town, it is chock full of culture and history. It is one of the seven counties in South Carolina that make up the Olde English District, and you'll find plenty of historical markers, monuments, and museums throughout the town.

The real draw is the myriad of berry farms and historic bed and breakfasts, which are all within driving distance. Of course, if you are an outdoor enthusiast, you'll also enjoy the plentiful waterways, which allow for swimming, fishing, and more!

Find Your Next Home in South Carolina

No matter what you are looking for in South Carolina, whether it be along the water of the Cooper River in Mount Pleasant or the hustle of a more metropolitan area like Charleston, there's something for everyone. And thankfully, some of the best places to live in South Carolina are still reasonably priced.

So, if you are interested in moving to South Carolina, now might be a good time to start your research. First, find out more information about the cost of living in South Carolina. Next, register with Apartment List today and start checking out the thousands of available apartments to rent in South Carolina!