Myrtle Beach, SC Area Guide

Myrtle Beach takes its name from the native wax myrtle trees that once lined its Atlantic shore, a detail that reflects how closely the city's identity has always been tied to its coastline. Long before European settlers arrived, the area was home to the Waccamaw people. The Withers family later settled the land, and the waterway known as Withers Swash still carries that name today. In the late 1800s, the timber industry shaped the local economy, but resort visionaries saw different potential in the shoreline. Franklin Burroughs targeted the area for development, and his sons completed a railroad connection to the town, setting the stage for Myrtle Beach's transformation into a coastal destination. The historic Myrtle Beach Pavilion operated from 1948 to 2006 and remains a point of pride in local memory. More recent history is on display at the Market Common, where a former Air Force base has been reimagined as a walkable residential and commercial district. About 30 minutes south, Brookgreen Gardens preserves centuries of Lowcountry heritage alongside its celebrated outdoor sculpture collection.

Myrtle Beach's dining scene draws deeply from its Atlantic coastal location, with Low Country cooking at the center of the table. Fresh seafood is a daily staple, from she-crab soup and shrimp and grits to steamed blue crabs and locally caught fish. Restaurant Row along Highway 17 has been a fixture of the Grand Strand dining landscape for decades, bringing together casual waterfront spots, American kitchens, and Italian restaurants along one well-traveled corridor. The Market Common offers a pedestrian-friendly stretch of casual and upscale options that draws both residents and visitors. Japanese hibachi and sushi restaurants have also become a consistent and well-regarded part of the local culinary mix.

Most Myrtle Beach residents rely on personal vehicles to get around. US-17, known locally as Kings Highway and the Bypass, runs as the main north-south corridor through the Grand Strand, while US-501 connects the city to Conway and points inland. SC-31, the Carolina Bays Parkway, offers a faster alternative when summer traffic backs up along Kings Highway and Ocean Boulevard. Robert M. Grissom Parkway serves as a practical cross-city shortcut. The Coast RTA operates public bus routes throughout Horry County, including beachfront service and connections to surrounding communities. Myrtle Beach International Airport sits minutes from the city center. The 1.2-mile oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade is well used by walkers and cyclists, and the Market Common offers connected sidewalks and green space that make getting around on foot or by bike a natural choice. Rideshare options are readily available across the area.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade stretches 1.2 miles along the Atlantic shoreline, offering a scenic route for walking and jogging with open ocean views year-round. Chapin Memorial Park provides a quieter in-city retreat with shaded seating, garden swings, and picnic areas. The Market Common weaves green space and trails through its walkable layout, making it easy to stay active without leaving the neighborhood. About 15 minutes south, Myrtle Beach State Park delivers oceanfront beach access, nature trails through maritime forest, fishing piers, picnic grounds, and camping. Roughly 30 minutes south in Murrells Inlet, Huntington Beach State Park offers miles of unspoiled shoreline with birding and kayaking, and the adjacent Brookgreen Gardens preserves an outdoor sculpture collection set within a historic Lowcountry landscape.

Renting in Myrtle Beach is affordable by coastal standards. One-bedroom apartments average $1,384 per month, roughly 17% below the national average for the same unit type. Two-bedroom apartments average $1,592 per month, and three-bedroom rentals come in at $1,854. Most renters find monthly housing costs landing between $1,381 and $1,860. The overall cost of living runs about 8% below the national average, with housing costs nearly 30% lower than the national norm. Utilities run approximately 11% above the national average, worth factoring in given the warm, humid climate and cooling demands. Groceries, transportation, and healthcare all track at or below national norms.

Myrtle Beach offers a well-rounded retail landscape with several distinct shopping destinations spread across the city. Broadway at the Beach, a long-established open-air lakefront complex, brings together retail, dining, and entertainment in one of the area's most recognized gathering spots. The Market Common offers a walkable alternative, with pedestrian-friendly streets lined by national brands and local boutiques within a mixed-use district. Coastal Grand Mall serves shoppers looking for a traditional indoor retail experience with a broad range of national stores. Along Ocean Boulevard, the beachfront corridor adds a casual dimension to the shopping scene, with resort-lifestyle shops that reflect the city's coastal character year-round. Plantation Point Plaza and Seaboard Commons provide everyday convenience close to residential areas across the city.

Myrtle Beach anchors the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of Atlantic coastline that ranks among the longest continuous beach corridors on the East Coast. With more than 100 golf courses nearby, it is one of the country's top golf destinations. The walkable Boardwalk and Promenade, Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach State Park, and a cost of living well below the national average give the city genuine year-round appeal beyond its resort reputation.