South Carolina's Best Places to Live in 2026 Ranked
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 rankings of the best places to live in South Carolina, with Mount Pleasant taking the top spot.
The 2026-2027 best places to live in South Carolina list published by U.S. News & World Report highlights cities evaluated based on criteria such as value, desirability, job market strength, and quality of life.
Mount Pleasant Takes the Top Spot
Mount Pleasant, a suburb in the Charleston area, was chosen as the state's best place to live thanks to its job opportunities, climate, and community structure.
Offering coastal living for those planning retirement, this city also stands out with its high cost of living.
Popular Coastal Choices
While Hilton Head stands out with its beautiful scenery and beaches, its high cost of living and housing prices negatively impacted its ranking.
Myrtle Beach offers a more affordable alternative to Hilton Head for those looking for a more vibrant coastal entertainment scene.
Economic and Affordable Cities
Florence stands out with its low cost of living, making it an attractive option for retirees despite a weaker job market.
Sumter and Spartanburg offer economical and advantageous alternatives for those who do not want massive increases in housing prices.
Other Growing and Prominent Cities
Greenville surpasses other similarly sized metropolises across the country with its strong job market and revitalized downtown.
Charleston draws attention with its beauty while ranking among the most expensive cities in the state.
Criteria for Determining Rankings
Data from Applied Geographic Solutions as well as federal and local official sources were used during the evaluations.
Cities were ranked based on four weighted indices: value, quality of life, desirability, and job market.