Planning to move to a state with a low cost of living and great weather? If so, South Carolina may be your new place to call home.
Snowbirds often flock to coastal areas like Charleston and Hilton Head Island to escape the northern chill, but when it comes down to the data, these areas are no longer the most desirable cities in S.C. in terms of livability.
A 2024 USA TODAY Homefront analysis ranked 26 cities in S.C. across quality-of-life metrics such as activities, affordability, unemployment rates, walkability, and quality of schools. The study's findings revealed five inland cities ranked among the top 5: Greenville was named No.1, Mauldin No. 4, and Spartanburg No. 5.
"Meanwhile, the more coastal cities of Goose Creek, Hanahan, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head Island fell to the bottom five spots." said the report.
On the other hand, when it comes to the top 10 cities for relocating to in the U.S., Myrtle Beach and Wilmington, North Carolina, secured top spots, according to an annual moving trend report from PODS, a leading portable container company. The Greenville-Spartanburg area still pushed through, landing at No. 4 on the list.
"Last year, we noted the Carolinas were worth watching, and this year, they’ve not only taken the trophy as the number one spot for new moves but also broken a record,” Rich Schwartz, SVP of corporate operations at PODS, said in a news release. “On the flip side, we’re continuing to see a throughline where expensive metro areas are prompting Americans to flock to cities and states where the cost of living is lower, and the lifestyle is more balanced."
What are S.C.'s financial benefits? And where are people moving away from? Here's what the data shows.
What are USA TODAY Homefront's key report takeaways?
S.C.'s eye-catching architecture, natural beauty, and southern charm make the state all the more tempting to move to, the USA TODAY Homefront report mentioned. What really makes it stand out to migrators, however, are its financial perks:
∎ Between 2022-2023, S.C.'s population grew by 1.7%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is currently the fastest growing population in the U.S.
∎ Greenville is USA TODAY's best city to move to in S.C. due to its affordable housing options for buyers and renters, as well as its top medical access.
∎ Charleston and Hilton Head Island may be popular S.C. cities among travelers, but they ranked low in the report due to their high housing costs and high homeowner insurance premiums.
∎ The report's three bottom cities ― North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Hilton Head Island ― scored low in terms of cost of living, health care availability, and walkability.
Moving to SC? Here's how to prepare
Before packing up and moving to SC, USA TODAY Homefront recommends doing the following:
∎ Research interstate moving companies and ask for at least three quotes.
∎ Search and secure a job. You can visit SC Works for job listings and resources.
∎ Be prepared for hot summers where temperatures may exceed 105 degrees. Although the Upstate has the lowest relative humidity, it is still around 69%, while coastal areas have around 73%. Those planning on moving to the coast should begin looking into hurricane preparation and evacuation procedures.
∎ Begin the process of registering your vehicle or obtaining your S.C. driver's license by visiting SCDMV. Check your car insurance provider to see if it transfers out of state.
∎ Choose a school for your child to enroll in through the South Carolina Department of Education. For day care options, visit SC Child Care.
Best and worst SC cities in 2024, according to USA TODAY
∎ No. 1: Greenville
∎ No. 2: Lexington
∎ No. 3: Fort Mill
∎ No. 4: Mauldin
∎ No. 5: Spartanburg
∎ No. 6: North Augusta
∎ No. 7: Greer
∎ No. 8: Taylors
∎ No. 9: Simpsonville
∎ No. 10: Aiken
∎ No. 11: Florence
∎ No. 12: Columbia
∎ No. 13: Easley
∎ No. 14: Anderson
∎ No. 15: Sumter
∎ No. 16: Rock Hill
∎ No. 17: Summerville
∎ No. 18: Conway
∎ No. 19: Bluffton
∎ No. 20: Myrtle Beach
∎ No. 21: Charleston
∎ No. 22: Goose Creek
∎ No. 23: Hanahan
∎ No. 24: North Charleston
∎ No. 25: Mount Pleasant
∎ No. 26: Hilton Head Island
Top 10 US cities with highest number of move-ins in 2024, according to PODS
∎ No. 1: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina/Wilmington, North Carolina (1st in 2023)
∎ No. 2: Ocala, Florida (4th in 2023)
∎ No. 3: Houston, Texas (5th in 2023)
∎ No. 4: Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina (10th in 2023)
∎ No. 5: Charlotte, North Carolina (16th in 2023)
∎ No. 6: Raleigh, North Carolina (20th in 2023)
∎ No. 7: Phoenix, Arizona (18th in 2023)
∎ No. 8: Knoxville, Tennessee (7th in 2023)
∎ No. 9: Jacksonville, Florida (8th in 2023)
∎ No. 10: Asheville, North Carolina (17th in 2023)
Top 10 US cities with highest number of move-outs in 2024, according to PODS
∎ No. 1: Los Angeles, California (1st in 2023)
∎ No. 2: Northern California (San Francisco area) (2nd in 2023)
∎ No. 3: South Florida (Miami area) (5th in 2023)
∎ No. 4: Long Island, New York (Serving parts of NYC) (4th in 2023)
∎ No. 5: Austin, Texas (Not ranked in 2023)
∎ No. 6: Central Jersey, New Jersey (6th in 2023)
∎ No. 7: Chicago, Illinois (3rd in 2023)
∎ No. 8: San Diego, California (14th in 2023)
∎ No. 9: Stockton-Modesto, California (9th in 2023)
∎ No. 10: Hudson Valley, New York (11th in 2023)
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com
