If you’re considering a move to Myrtle Beach, you’re far from alone. The Grand Strand has become one of the most moved-to metro areas in the entire country, pulling in residents from the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and even other parts of the Sunbelt like Florida. But most of what people find online about relocating here is either vague lifestyle marketing or generic national tax comparisons that don’t actually reflect what a move to this area means for your wallet.

This guide breaks down the real financial and lifestyle picture — property taxes, income taxes, home prices, and who’s actually making this move — so you can make an informed decision.

Why So Many People Are Choosing Myrtle Beach Right Now

South Carolina has ranked among the top states in the country for net inbound migration for several years running, and the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metro area consistently ranks as one of the single most moved-to places in the U.S. This isn’t a niche retirement trend anymore — it’s a broad demographic shift.

The mix of people relocating here today is more diverse than most people expect:

• Roughly a third to 40% are retirees aged 65 and older
• A nearly equal share are pre-retirees between 45 and 64
• Remote workers and young families now make up a meaningful portion of new residents
• A significant share of new residents report household incomes well above the national median

In other words, this is increasingly a lifestyle-value market, not just a bargain-basement retirement migration.

Where People Are Actually Coming From

If you’re trying to picture your own move, you’re likely in good company. The most common origin states sending new residents to this area are:

New York and New Jersey remain the largest sources of newcomers. High state income taxes, some of the highest property tax bills in the country, and the general cost of city-adjacent living are the most commonly cited reasons for leaving.

Pennsylvania is close behind, driven by similar cost pressures — including local wage taxes that stack on top of state income tax in many Pennsylvania municipalities.

Florida is a growing, often overlooked source. Buyers from the Gulf Coast and Central Florida are increasingly looking north for coastal living without the property insurance pressure and density that have become issues in parts of Florida.

If you’re relocating from one of these states, the financial comparison below will likely look familiar.

The Property Tax Picture

Property tax is often the single biggest recurring cost difference people notice after moving. South Carolina’s effective property tax rate averages around 0.57% — among the lowest in the country. Compare that to some of the top origin states:

• New Jersey: roughly 2% effective rate — the highest in the nation. On a $400,000 home, that’s the difference between an $8,800 annual bill and roughly $2,300 in South Carolina.
• New York: roughly 6% effective rate statewide, though it varies significantly by county.
• Pennsylvania: roughly 4% on average.
• Florida: roughly 9% on average — lower than the Northeast, but still notably higher than South Carolina.

These are statewide averages, and actual rates vary by county and municipality, but the gap is consistently large enough to matter — often several thousand dollars a year on a comparable home.

The Income Tax Picture

Income tax tells a similar story, though the details matter:

• New York: top marginal rate near 9%
• New Jersey: top marginal rate near 75%
• Pennsylvania: a flat rate around 07%, but many municipalities add a local wage tax on top
• Florida: no state income tax at all
• South Carolina: top marginal rate around 6% and trending lower in recent years, with two features that matter a lot for retirees — Social Security income is fully exempt, and there’s an additional deduction for retirement income for residents 65 and older

South Carolina doesn’t have Florida’s zero-income-tax headline, but between the low property taxes, the retirement income exemptions, and the absence of any local/city income tax anywhere in the state, the overall picture is highly competitive — especially for retirees and pre-retirees drawing on Social Security or pension income.

What About Home Prices?

Beyond taxes, the other major factor driving this migration is simple purchasing power. Home prices in the Myrtle Beach area typically run well below comparable coastal markets in New York, New Jersey, and much of Florida. For many buyers coming from these states, the combination of a lower purchase price and dramatically lower carrying costs (property tax, insurance) means their existing home equity stretches significantly further here — sometimes enough to buy outright or eliminate a mortgage entirely.

The Lifestyle Side of the Equation

Taxes and prices get people’s attention, but they’re rarely the only reason someone makes a move like this. The appeal of the Grand Strand — the beach access, the golf, the waterfront dining, the slower pace relative to major metros — is what turns “this makes financial sense” into “we’re actually doing this.” It’s worth being honest that a move like this is a lifestyle decision as much as a financial one, and the right fit depends on things a spreadsheet can’t capture: proximity to family, climate preference, and what day-to-day life actually looks like here versus where you are now.

What This Means If You’re Considering the Move

Every situation is different — your current home’s value, your income sources, your state’s specific tax situation, and the type of property you’re looking for here all affect the real numbers. The comparisons above are useful as a general picture, but they’re not a substitute for running your actual numbers.

If you’re seriously considering a move to Myrtle Beach from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, or anywhere else, I put together a free relocation cost comparison guide that walks through this in more detail, and I’m happy to run the specific numbers for your situation — your current home, your target area here, and what the real cost difference looks like.

Tina Dore | Coldwell Banker Seacoast Advantage — Sollecito Advantage Group 843-501-1616 | tinadore@seacoastrealty .com | www.mbadvantagegroup.com

Figures cited above are approximate estimates based on publicly available state and county tax data current as of 2026, provided for general educational purposes only. They are not tax or legal advice — consult a CPA for guidance specific to your situation.