Moving to South Carolina? Here are the 5 best cities, according to our 2024 study

Charming historic districts, picturesque coastal cities and famous golf courses attract millions of tourists to South Carolina every year. Visitors are not the only ones clamoring to South Carolina, however. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that this Lowcountry region saw the fastest-growing population of any state in 2023. 

Charleston, Hilton Head Island and Myrtle Beach are big hits for visitors, but those looking for a permanent stay in the Palmetto State should consider living elsewhere, according to our latest ranking.

The research team at USA TODAY Homefront ranked 26 cities in South Carolina across 16 different quality-of-life metrics. While the beaches draw in the crowds, the mountain-view city of Greenville took the title of the best place to call home in South Carolina. Greenville was followed by two other inland cities: Lexington and Fort Mill.

New residents are drawn to South Carolina’s natural beauty, cultural richness and high quality of life. Ready to join the migrating masses? Consider these five cities before you call a moving company.

Key findings

• South Carolina’s population — the fastest-growing in the U.S. — grew by 1.7% between 2022 and 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Greenville is the best city to move to in South Carolina, offering top medical access and affordable housing options for renters and buyers.

• Notable cities Charleston (No. 21) and Hilton Head Island (No. 26) ranked low mainly due to high housing costs and high homeowner insurance premiums.

• The three bottom cities — two of which are in Charleston County — scored poorly across categories such as cost of living, walkability and health care availability.

Why are people moving to South Carolina?

South Carolina captivates with southern charm, historical architecture, stunning beaches and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The state’s allure goes beyond visual and cultural appeal, however — this southern state offers enticing financial benefits.

Residents of South Carolina enjoy a higher quality of life at a relatively low cost; It’s the 13th most affordable state, according to our 2024 study. Low property tax rates and property tax exemption for homeowners over 65, make it an ideal spot for retirees. 

The Palmetto State provides plenty of economic opportunities for those still working, earning the No.4 spot for job growth in the 2024 Seidman Institute report.

Best cities to move to in South Carolina

USA TODAY Homefront ranked the best cities in South Carolina based on metrics that matter to people seeking a new city. These include livability considerations, such as available activities, walkability and quality of schools. We consider economic variables such as housing affordability and unemployment rates. Health and safety factors — access to health care, crime rates and severe weather risk — also affect the rankings.

Those looking to move to the best city in South Carolina won’t be buying a beach house. Five inland cities — Greenville, Lexington, Fort Mill, Mauldin and Spartanburg — collectively ranked the highest on average across most of these metrics. 

Meanwhile, the more coastal cities of Goose Creek, Hanahan, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head Island fell to the bottom five spots.

One of the biggest driving factors in our ranking of South Carolina cities was affordability, and higher-ranking cities have lower home values on average. The average home value in the top five cities is $318,602, about half the cost of the average home value in the bottom five cities at $617,560.

5. Spartanburg

Nestled in the northern part of the state, Spartanburg has something for everyone. There are hiking and biking trails, lakes and rivers, art shows and plenty of restaurant options. It’s also known for the world’s most productive BMW manufacturing plant and the University of South Carolina Upstate.

Spartanburg ranked well in our study for its entertainment options and affordability. It boasts the lowest typical rent of the 26 cities we analyzed ($1,242 per month) and the third-lowest typical home value at $212,629, below the state value of $292,750. Additionally, it secured the third spot for accessibility of healthcare providers, with an impressive ratio of 1.4 providers per 1,000 residents.

4. Mauldin

It may be a small town outside Greenville for now, but Mauldin is gaining popularity for its location and offerings. Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains close to lakes and waterfalls — it’s a beautiful place to call home. 

Despite not having a city center, the city regularly hosts cultural events such as concerts and theater shows. The sports center, miles of greenways and bike trails add to the appeal.

Mauldin performed well in our analysis mainly for affordability, with the fourth-lowest home value-to-income ratio (3.7) and the lowest percentage (36%) of rent-burdened residents of all the cities we ranked.

3. Fort Mill

People are discovering that the border town of Fort Mill is a hidden gem — it is one of the fastest growing places in the country — between the trendy, up-and-coming town of Rock Hill and bustling Charlotte, North Carolina. 

What was once a rural farming town has turned into a fast-growing city. Its population has increased by 45.7% since the 2020 census — growing at an annual rate of 8.5%.

Don’t be side-tracked by quaint shops and historic downtown; Fort Mill is home to major employers such as Black + Decker and Wells Fargo.

Fort Mill has the highest-rated schools of all 26 South Carolina cities we analyzed with a perfect 10 out of 10 score, per NeighborhoodScout. Great schools, paired with having the second-lowest crime rate and second-highest walkability score (61 out of 100), boosted its analysis score.

2. Lexington

Columbia’s suburb, Lexington, is a vibrant community of about 23,600. It offers a quiet, charming escape from the hustle of the capital, yet it is conveniently 20 minutes away should you need to pop into the metropolis.

Lexington residents don’t need to leave town to find entertainment, however. Proximity to the 50,000-acre Lake Murray shore, the Icehouse Amphitheater and a trendy downtown will keep you busy in town.

“Those seeking a traditional Southern feel with excellent schools may find the city of Lexington appealing,” said Steve Kozlowski, a real estate agent with HomeLight, noting that it’s only an hour-and-a-half away from the ocean, mountains and major cities such as Charleston, Greenville and Charlotte.  

Lexington’s dining scene helped the city score well, ranking fifth overall for number of restaurant options per capita. However, what truly boosted its score is having the lowest unemployment rate (2.7%) of any city in our study. It also has the sixth-lowest crime rate with fewer than 20 crimes committed per capita, according to NeighborhoodScout.

1. Greenville

Greenville is our pick for the best city to live in South Carolina. Analysis aside, it’s hard to deny its picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Falls Park — a waterfall within downtown. 

The growing city of more than 70,000 residents has a thriving arts and culture scene, including the renowned Greenville County Museum of Art and the Alchemy Comedy Theater. Baseball fans can enjoy a minor league game at the Greenville Drive. Foodies will not go hungry thanks to the robust restaurant scene with over 1,000 eateries.

“Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is nearby and easy to navigate and you’ll be happy to find a variety of churches and fitness clubs to choose from,” said Jennifer Hubbell, lead real estate agent with HomeLight.

Hubbell also mentioned Greenville’s great hospital system. The city’s top-rated health care helped it earn the top spot in our study, having the highest ratio of primary care providers per capita at 1.5 providers per 1,000 residents.

Greenville earned points for being the third-most walkable city we analyzed, scoring 43 out of 100. 

Despite all it offers, Greenville is still relatively affordable with a typical home value of $299,060 (only 2.2% higher than the state’s typical home value).

Greenville-based corporations such as Bosch, Dodge, GE Energy and Michelin take advantage of no sales tax on manufacturing equipment and materials and favorable corporate income tax structure, presenting economic opportunities for residents.

Relocating to South Carolina? Here’s what you need to know

If you’re ready to enjoy delicious Southern cuisine (shrimp and grits and Carolina Gold BBQ), historic districts, beautiful coastal views and lush, green landscapes, it may be time to pack up the moving truck and head off to South Carolina.

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the move:

• Find a reliable moving company: Research the interstate moving companies to suit your needs. To save money on your move, we recommend asking for at least three quotes.
• Secure a job: South Carolina offers economic opportunities with major industries such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace and tourism. Check out the SC Works for resources and job listings.
• Prepare for the weather: Summer’s high heat and humidity can lead to temperatures exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The Upstate region has the lowest relative humidity and it’s still around 69%. Coastal areas hover around 73%. Those moving to the coast must look into hurricane preparation and evacuation procedures. 
• Register your vehicle: If you need to register your vehicle and obtain a South Carolina driver’s license, start the process with the SC DMV. Check with your car insurance provider if it transfers from state to state. 
• If you have kids, find a school: South Carolina has public, charter, magnet and private school options, although roughly 74% of all K-12 students in South Carolina go to public schools. State law allows for an open enrollment policy, which means children may be able to attend public schools outside of their district. Visit the South Carolina Department of Education to search for a school or SC Child Care for daycare options.

Best and worst cities in South Carolina (full data)

Our methodology

The research team at USA TODAY Homefront ranked 26 cities in South Carolina across 16 metrics to determine the best cities to live in. Cities have populations greater than 20,000 and complete data. For some metrics, data was only available at the county level. Cities were ranked on the following metrics:

• Walkability score from Walk Score
• School district ratings on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) from NeighborhoodScout
• Number of restaurants from Tripadvisor per 1,000 residents
• Number of activities from Tripadvisor per 1,000 residents
• Estimated primary care providers per 1,000 residents from U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• County-level life expectancies from University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s County Health Rankings 
• Severe weather events at the county level from 2019–2023 from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Number of violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents from NeighborhoodScout
• The ratio of home values for single-family homes, condos and co-ops to median household income from Zillow Home Value Index and the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimate. Cities are scored based on how close this ratio is to what we define as the “ideal home value ratio” of 2.5. 
• Typical rent for all home types using Zillow Observed Rent Index
• Percentage of renters who pay more than 30% of income to rent (“rent burdened”) from U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates
• Median annual homeowners insurance premiums from Quadrant
• Unemployment rates at the county level from the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office
• Regional price parity: Values are a percentage of the overall national price level (a lower value is better) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree from U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates

Data used from Quadrant is representative of publicly sourced data and should not be interpreted as bindable quotes.

Questions about our study? Please contact Homefront at press@homefront.usatoday.com.

Reference policy

We encourage journalists to share our findings on the best cities in South Carolina. If you choose to do so, please link back to our original story and credit USA TODAY Homefront for the research.