City Report · SC

Myrtle Beach

Pop. 38,371·31st most expensive in South Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Myrtle Beach, SC
Median rent (all units)
$1,697/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.3%
vs US Median
-$265
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Myrtle Beach · $1,697
More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
75/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 13% below what Myrtle Beach's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,697/mo
Expected by trend
$1,944/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Myrtle Beach's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,173
1 BR
$1,238
2 BR
$1,453
3 BR
$1,833
4 BR+
$2,133
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,453/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,697 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,364/yr
At $1,697/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Myrtle Beach, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 33.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,371
Median income
$60,394
Median age
47.3
Renters
39.5%
Age distribution
16.2%
20.7%
20.9%
18.5%
23.7%
Under 1816.2%
18–3420.7%
35–5420.9%
55–6418.5%
65+23.7%
Gender
49.3%
50.7%
Male49.3%
Female50.7%
Race & ethnicity
66.6%
15%
13.2%
White66.6%
Black15%
Hispanic13.2%
Asian1.2%
Other4%
Education (25+)
27.7%
31.2%
33.5%
No HS diploma7.6%
HS diploma27.7%
Some college31.2%
Bachelor's+33.5%
Housing tenure
60.5%
39.5%
Owner60.5%
Renter39.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Myrtle Beach, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,295 → $1,697
up 31.0%
Income
$45,701 → $60,394
up 32.2%
Population
35,116 → 38,371
up 9.3%
Renter share
42.1% → 39.5%
-2.6 pts
Bachelor's+
30.5% → 33.5%
+3.0 pts
Median age
45.7 → 47.3
+1.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Myrtle Beach, SC has climbed by $402 per month, settling near $1,697 after starting the period at $1,295. Household income in the area moved from $45,701 to $60,394 across the same window, up 32.2% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 35,116 to 38,371 between 2021 and 2024, a 9.3% change. About 39.5% of households rent today, against 42.1% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 30.5% to 33.5%. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Myrtle Beach, SC look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

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View Myrtle Beach rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Myrtle Beach on your salary?

At $1,697/mo, how Myrtle Beach rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Myrtle Beach rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Myrtle Beach. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Myrtle Beach

About renting in Myrtle Beach, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Myrtle Beach is $1,697/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,173/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,453/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,238/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,833/mo.

At 34% of local median household income ($60,394/yr), Myrtle Beach ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Myrtle Beach an affordable city for renters?

Myrtle Beach is considered moderate for renters. At $1,697/mo, rent takes approximately 34% of the local median household income ($60,394/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Myrtle Beach slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Myrtle Beach?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,697/mo in Myrtle Beach. The local median household income is $60,394/yr, meaning the typical Myrtle Beach household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Myrtle Beach?

Rent in Myrtle Beach has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

Which Myrtle Beach neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Myrtle Beach are 29572 ($1,595/mo), 29577 ($1,680/mo), and 29588 ($1,682/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Myrtle Beach is $1,697/mo.

How does Myrtle Beach rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Myrtle Beach is middle-of-the-pack for South Carolina for rent, ranking #31 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,697/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Myrtle Beach?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Myrtle Beach ($1,697/mo): Surfside Beach ($1,607/mo), North Myrtle Beach ($1,673/mo).

What percentage of Myrtle Beach residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.5% of Myrtle Beach households are renters, while 60.5% are owner-occupied. Myrtle Beach leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Myrtle Beach rent compare to the national average?

Myrtle Beach's median rent of $1,697/mo is $265 (14%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #31 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
34%
MODERATE

At $1,697/mo, rent takes ~34% of Myrtle Beach's median household income ($60,394/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Myrtle Beach 34%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Myrtle Beach affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Myrtle Beach
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Myrtle Beach, SC

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