Charleston vs. Myrtle Beach: Which is Higher?

Are you on the lookout for a spot to live or visit in South Carolina? Well, the concept of Charleston vs. Myrtle Beach may need crossed your mind.

When you can’t choose from the 2, here is an in depth comparison to make it easier for you.

Cost of Living

In line with the info from Numbeo and PayScale, the common cost of living in Charleston is 8% higher than the national average, while the common cost of living in Myrtle Beach is 8% lower than the national average. Because of this you would want around $4,818 in Charleston to keep up the identical standard of life that you could have with $3,500 in Myrtle Beach.

More: 6 Least expensive Beach Places to Live In South Carolina

The most important difference between the 2 cities is the housing cost, which is 32% lower in Myrtle Beach than in Charleston. The median home price in Charleston is $493,200, while the median home price in Myrtle Beach is $305,719. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Charleston is $929.54 per thirty days, while the median rent in Myrtle Beach is $650 per thirty days.

Other expenses, resembling groceries, transportation, and healthcare, are also barely cheaper in Myrtle Beach than in Charleston. For instance, a loaf of bread costs $1.98 in Charleston and $2.69 in Myrtle Beach, a gallon of gas costs $3.74 in Charleston and $3.14 in Myrtle Beach, and a physician’s visit costs $114.67 in Charleston and $108.01 in Myrtle Beach.

Based on this comparison, I might say that Myrtle Beach has a more favorable cost of living than Charleston, especially should you are on the lookout for reasonably priced housing options.

Verdict: Myrtle Beach Wins

Weather

Charleston has a damp subtropical climate, while Myrtle Beach has a warm humid continental climate. Because of this Charleston has hot and humid summers, mild winters, and more rainfall all year long, while Myrtle Beach has warm and humid summers, cool winters, and fewer rainfall but more snowfall.

The typical hot temperature in Charleston is 76°F, while the common low temperature is 55°F. The typical hot temperature in Myrtle Beach is 74°F, while the common low temperature is 51°F.

The most well liked month in each cities is July, with a median high of 89°F in Charleston and 88°F in Myrtle Beach. The coldest month in each cities is January, with a median low of 38°F in Charleston and 34°F in Myrtle Beach.

Charleston receives about 50 inches of rainfall per yr, while Myrtle Beach receives about 45 inches of rainfall and a pair of inches of snowfall per yr. The wettest month in each cities is August, with a median of seven inches of rain in Charleston and 6 inches of rain in Myrtle Beach. The driest month in each cities is April, with a median of three inches of rain in Charleston and a pair of inches of rain in Myrtle Beach.

Looking into these, it’s clear that each cities have almost the identical weather conditions, just with a slight difference.

Verdict: Draw

Public Transportation

Charleston has a public transit system called CARTA, which offers bus service, park and ride, and a free downtown shuttle called DASH. Myrtle Beach has a public transit system called The Coast RTA, which offers bus service, paratransit service, and an entertainment express.

The most important difference between the 2 cities is the supply and convenience of public transportation. Charleston has more routes and stops than Myrtle Beach, covering more areas and attractions in the town and the encircling counties.

Charleston also has a free shuttle service that circulates across the historic peninsula, connecting the visitors center, the aquarium, the town market, the waterfront park, and other popular destinations.

Myrtle Beach has fewer routes and stops than Charleston, mainly serving the airport, the beach, and a few hotels. Myrtle Beach doesn’t have a free shuttle service, and the Entertainment Express costs $1 per ride.

Based on this comparison, we’d say that Charleston has higher public transportation than Myrtle Beach, especially should you are on the lookout for an affordable and simple option to explore the town and its culture.

Verdict: Charleston Wins

Job Opportunities

The most important difference between the 2 cities is the impact of tourism and seasonality on the job market. Myrtle Beach is a preferred tourist destination that pulls thousands and thousands of tourists yearly, especially through the summer months.

Because of this, Myrtle Beach has more jobs related to hospitality, entertainment, and retail than Charleston, but these jobs are sometimes low-paying, part-time, or seasonal.

Alternatively, Charleston is a historic and cultural city that has a more stable and year-round economy than Myrtle Beach. Because of this Charleston has more jobs that require higher education, skills, and experience than Myrtle Beach, but these jobs are also more competitive and demanding.

To provide a verdict, Charleston has higher job opportunities than Myrtle Beach, especially should you are on the lookout for a full-time, everlasting, and well-paid job in a growing and diverse industry.

Verdict: Charleston Wins

Cuisine & Lifestyle

Cuisine

Charleston’s cuisine reflects its wealthy history and heritage, influenced by the Gullah, French, English, and Caribbean cultures. Among the iconic dishes that outline Charleston are okra soup, she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, oyster stew, and Frogmore stew.

Charleston also has quite a lot of restaurants that cater to different tastes and budgets, from advantageous dining to casual eateries. A few of the most effective places to try Charleston’s food are Sea Captain’s House, The Glass Onion, and Husk.

Myrtle Beach’s cuisine is more focused on seafood, especially the local blue crab and shrimp. The most well-liked dish in Myrtle Beach is the calabash-style seafood, which is frivolously battered and deep-fried.

Myrtle Beach also has a number of buffets, chain restaurants, and pizza places that cater to tourists and vacationers. A few of the most effective places to try Myrtle Beach’s food are Ravenel Seafood, Hook & Barrel, and Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen.

Lifestyle

With regards to lifestyle, Charleston residents enjoy exploring the historic downtown area, visiting museums and art galleries, attending festivals and events, and shopping at local boutiques and markets.

Charleston also has a vigorous nightlife scene, with live music venues, bars, and clubs. A few of the most effective places to experience Charleston’s culture are the Charleston City Market, the Gibbes Museum of Art, and the Music Farm.

Myrtle Beach’s lifestyle is more lively and fun-loving than Charleston’s. Its residents enjoy spending time on the beach, playing golf, fishing, boating, and browsing.

Myrtle Beach also has a number of amusement parks, water parks, mini golf courses, and arcades that supply entertainment for all ages. A few of the most effective places to have a good time in Myrtle Beach are Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Broadway on the Beach, and Ripley’s Aquarium.

Each cities have something different to supply, and the winner here ultimately will depend on your preferences. When you like historic charm, diverse food, and artistic culture, you may prefer Charleston. When you like tourist attractions, beach activities, and golf courses, you may prefer Myrtle Beach.

Verdict: Draw

Crime Rates

The typical crime rate in Charleston is 258 per 100,000 people, while the common crime rate in Myrtle Beach is 2,771 per 100,000 people.

Because of this you may have a 1 in 240 probability of being a victim of violent crime and a 1 in 46 probability of being a victim of property crime in Charleston, in comparison with a 1 in 82 probability of being a victim of violent crime and a 1 in 12 probability of being a victim of property crime in Myrtle Beach.

It’s possible you’ll be wondering what makes this huge difference. It is definitely the impact of tourism and seasonality on crime patterns. Myrtle Beach is a preferred tourist destination that pulls thousands and thousands of tourists yearly, especially through the summer months.

Try: 10 Safest Neighborhoods In Charleston, SC

For that reason, it has more crimes related to theft, burglary, and robbery than Charleston, in addition to more crimes involving alcohol, drugs, and disorderly conduct.

Charleston is a historic and cultural city that has a more stable and year-round population than Myrtle Beach. Subsequently, it has fewer crimes related to tourism and more crimes related to domestic violence, assault, and homicide than Myrtle Beach.

Verdict: Charleston Wins

Commute Times

In line with the info from GeoStat and Stacker, Charleston has an extended average commute time than Myrtle Beach, with 26.6 minutes vs. 16.5 minutes.

Charleston also has more employees who’ve a one-hour or longer commute than Myrtle Beach, with 6.5% vs. 3.9%. Charleston’s rush hour traffic is more congested and lasts longer than Myrtle Beach’s, especially on major roads resembling U.S. 501, U.S. 17, and S.C. 31.

Myrtle Beach has a shorter commute time than Charleston, especially should you are on the lookout for a less stressful and more flexible drive.

Verdict: Myrtle Beach Wins