If you’re looking for some ideas on where to live in South Carolina, you’ve come to the right place!
Obviously, the best place to live is a fairly subjective thing. It all depends on your lifestyle, your family, your job, your hobbies, and your budget.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when looking for the best place to live for YOU in South Carolina:
- What is the cost of housing? (Home prices and rent)
- What is the job market like in the area?
- How is commuting and transportation?
- How good are public schools in the area?
- Is it a safe place to live?
- What is the culture like?
- What is there to do for fun?
- What is the weather and climate like throughout the year?
With that said, our picks for the best places to live in South Carolina include:
- Columbia
- Charleston
- North Charleston
Read why they made the list below!
1. Columbia
Columbia is located in Richland County within the central region of South Carolina.
With a population of 133,000, Columbia ranks 2nd largest in South Carolina. It’s a medium-sized city with an urban or suburban feel in most areas.
Columbia’s climate is classified as humid subtropical with mild winters and humid summers. Average highs range from 56 to 92 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 34 to 72, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Columbia on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
2. Charleston
Charleston is located in Charleston County within the southeast region of South Carolina.
With a population of 135,250, Charleston ranks largest in South Carolina. It’s a medium-sized city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Charleston’s climate is classified as humid subtropical with mild winters and hot, humid summers with significant rainfall all year long. Average highs range from 60 to 91 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 38 to 73, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Charleston on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 3/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
3. North Charleston
North Charleston is located in Dorchester County within the southeast region of South Carolina.
With a population of 111,500, North Charleston ranks 3rd largest in South Carolina. It’s a medium-sized city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Here’s how we rate North Charleston on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
Next Steps: Prepare for your Move
Moving to a new state or new city can be a pretty daunting process! Trust us, we’ve been there.
That’s why we’ve created this site to help you along the way. Check out some of our other resources as you continue down the path towards your new home:
Plus, we’ve made it easy for you to shop and compare all different types of insurance policies as you prepare for your move. (Expert tip: This is one of the BEST ways to save some money). Get started below: