7 Best Places to Live in South Carolina in 2024
South Carolina, the Palmetto State, stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Appalachian foothills. Most of the state’s towns and cities have long histories, but many have also seen strong growth and change in recent years. Among these towns and cities, the cream of the crop have a combination of lively arts and culture scenes, access to outdoor recreation, historic charm, and strong community assets. Learn more about South Carolina’s best places to live in 2024.
Summerville
Summerville, located about 25 miles from downtown Charleston, ballooned from a small town of 4,000 to a small city of 51,000 between 1970 and 2020. Yet Summerville still retains its status as a quintessential South Carolina Lowcountry town, with a postcard-pretty downtown and a famous collection of gardens and floral displays. The town is the reputed birthplace of sweet tea and home to one of the region’s premier arts and crafts celebrations, the Flowertown Festival (held in 2024 from April 5 to 7). Summerville is also a great place to explore South Carolina history at the neighboring Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site.
With median home prices around $415,000 (according to realtor.com), homes are pretty evenly priced with the US national average of 420,000 (according to Census US).
Rock Hill
Like Summerville, Rock Hill has grown rapidly due to its proximity to a major city—in its case, Charlotte, North Carolina. Now the fifth largest city in South Carolina, Rock Hill has (also like Summerville) managed to retain its historic downtown core. Many young professionals and college students who work or study in the Charlotte region live in Rock Hill, adding a youthful vitality to its fine collection of mid-1800s homes and buildings. Rock Hill also famously welcomes spring with its annual Come-See-Me Festival, with the 2024 edition from April 11 to 20.
The median home listing price is around $325,000, making Rock Hill an affordable option for home ownership.
Mount Pleasant
Yet another small town turned metro suburb, Mount Pleasant, boomed from 6,000 residents to 90,000 between 1970 and 2020. Separated from Charleston by the Cooper River—spanned since 2005 by the Ravenel Bridge, an architectural gem—Mount Pleasant offers full access to Charleston’s charms in a slightly less crowded environment. But Mount Pleasant has not lost its individuality, most notably in its Old Village neighborhood, where modern boutiques and eateries operate out of historic buildings. Mount Pleasant’s social calendar is filled with festivals and events, including the annual Sweetwater Festival that celebrates Gullah Geechee history and culture.
For those looking to buy in this upscale suburb, the median home listing price sits around 900,000 in 2024.
Greenville
The South Carolina Upstate city of Greenville occupies an enviable location, set within 150 miles of both Charlotte and Atlanta and nestled up against the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains. Greenville had some down times in the 1980s and 90s, but has added 15,000 residents since 2000 and revitalized its downtown with dozens of new businesses. From nature escapes at Chimney Rock State Park to college football Saturdays at Clemson University (30 miles away), Greenville offers residents an abundance of social and recreational options. The city hosts its famous Gallabrae Scottish Festival in spring (May 24 to 25, 2024) and celebrates autumn beauty with Fall for Greenville (October 11 to 13, 2024).
Median home listing prices sit around $355,000, meaning Greenville may be an option for those looking for a more affordable place to purchase your dream home.
Beaufort
The town of Beaufort sits on Port Royal Island, which is known as the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands” for its unmatched history and beauty. Beaufort is one of the oldest colonial settlements in South Carolina and definitely looks the part, with a 300-acre National Historic Landmark district that welcomes sightseers on horse-drawn carriage tours. The town celebrates its connection to the sea with its annual Beaufort Water Festival, held in 2024 from July 12 to 21, while neighboring Hilton Head Island hosts popular events such as an annual PGA Tour golf tournament.
As of February 2024, median home listing prices are $449,500.
Orangeburg
The town of Orangeburg is known as South Carolia’s “Garden City,” home to a fabulous annual Festival of Roses (May 4 to 5, 2024) and beautiful floral displays at sites like Edisto Memorial Gardens. Garden City is lovely and lively even in winter when Edisto hosts the excellent Children’s Garden Christmas! Orangeburg is home to two historically Black colleges (HBCUs), South Carolina State University and Claflin University, and the town’s ongoing downtown revitalization effort continues to bear fruit. Orangeburg is also perfectly situated for day trips to the state capital of Columbia (40 miles away) as well as Charleston (75 miles away).
Boasting one of the lower median home listing prices in the state, you may be able to purchase a home in Orangeburg for only $230,000.
Pickens
From its spot in western South Carolina’s foothills, Pickens offers spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and easy access to several hiking trails and state parks. While it is hard to compete with such natural beauty, Pickens is lovely in its own right, with highlights including the Pickens County Courthouse and the Old Jail. The town is most beautiful during the annual Pickens Azalea Festival (April 26 to 27, 2024), lovingly called one of the biggest family reunions in the southeastern US. It also hosts fun events all year, including a classic Christmas parade.
The median home listing price in Pickens is $335,000, which is a reasonable price for the stunning mountain views.
South Carolina's population has been growing for years, and the state saw the nation’s largest population growth (by percentage) in 2023, so it is no secret that the state offers plenty of great places to live. No matter what you are looking for in a community to call home, from outdoor adventures to historic charm to fun festivals, South Carolina has a town or city to suit your preferences. So maybe 2024 is the year for you to get a fresh start in the Palmetto State!
