Best South Carolina Beach Towns for Renters [2024]

Are you dreaming of sandy beaches, warm sunshine, and a laid-back coastal lifestyle? South Carolina offers a diverse range of beach towns, each with its own unique charm and attractions. Whether you’re seeking a classic beach town experience, a vibrant nightlife scene, or a beautiful historical location, there’s a South Carolina beach town that’s perfect for you.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best South Carolina beach towns, providing insights into their unique features, local amenities, and what makes them stand out. From the historic charm of Charleston to the family-friendly atmosphere of Myrtle Beach, we’ll help you find the perfect coastal destination for your next vacation or relocation.

Want more insights into some of these places? Check out this great video from Jerry Pinkas on YouTube:

10 Best South Carolina Beach Towns for Renters

How We Chose the Best South Carolina Beach Towns

For our top picks, we looked at a mixture of rental pricing, availability of apartments, transportation options, and what locals have said about the area. The best South Carolina beach towns came down to a mixture of affordability, how easy it is to find an apartment there, and whether you'll get that classic "beach town" experience that you're looking for.

All of the rental data included here comes from current listings on our website, which are linked in the descriptions of each city. Transit scores come from walkscore.com and census information comes directly from the U.S. Census website.

1. Surfside Beach

• Population: 4,280
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,300
• Number of currently available units: 164
• Walk score: 42
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 51

Surfside Beach offers a charming and laid-back atmosphere, making it a great choice for those seeking a peaceful beach getaway. With low starting rent prices and high availability, it's also the best place on our list to start looking for a beach town apartment. Known for its family-friendly environment and beautiful beaches, Surfside Beach is a smaller town with a tight-knit community.

With 36 different access points for the beach, you'll definitely find that beach town vibe you're looking for. Enjoy strolling along the boardwalk, fishing off the pier, or simply relaxing on the sandy shores.

2. Myrtle Beach

• Population: 39,697
• Average one-bedroom rent: $1,469
• Number of currently available units: 197
• Walk score: 43
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 54

Myrtle Beach is South Carolina's most popular beach destination, but it's also one of the best places for renters. With some of the lowest average one-bedroom rates on our list and a lot of availability, Myrtle Beach is a great place to look for an apartment near the beach. The area also offers a wide range of attractions and activities from amusement parks and water parks to shopping centers and golf courses. Myrtle Beach also calls itself the "Mini Golf Capitol of the World."

While it can get crowded during peak season, the city's lively atmosphere and endless entertainment options make it a must-visit for those seeking a fun-filled beach vacation.

3. Murrell’s Inlet

• Population: 9,740
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,400
• Number of currently available units: 182
• Walk score: 47
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 48

Murrells Inlet is a small, coastal town known for its picturesque fishing harbor and fresh seafood. This charming community offers a more relaxed pace of life compared to larger beach destinations. However, don't underestimate it's rental potential. The area has some of the highest availability on our list with some of the lowest starting rent prices. So it's definitely a great option to consider for renters who want to live near local shops and restaurants, take a boat tour, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the waterfront.

4. Beaufort

• Population: 13,850
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,529
• Number of currently available units: 100
• Walk score: 68
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 55

Beaufort is a historic town located on Port Royal Island, offering a unique blend of Southern charm and coastal beauty. With its antebellum mansions, cobblestone streets, and waterfront views, Beaufort is a delightful destination for those who appreciate history and culture. Explore the town's many museums, art galleries, and historic sites, or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. In addition to Beaufort, you can also find listings for nearby Fripp Island (another small beach town) by visiting the link above.

5. Isle of Palms

• Population: 4,357
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,575
• Number of currently available units: 164
• Walk score: 17
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 32

Isle of Palms is a barrier island known for its pristine beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and excellent surfing conditions. This charming community offers a variety of recreational activities, but it's particularly known for its strong wellness and spa culture. And even though the community is on the smaller side, there's plenty of units to rent in the area and surrounding communities.

6. Seabrook Island

• Population: 2,077
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $1,650
• Number of currently available units: 60
• Walk score: 0
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 25

Seabrook Island is a private island community near Charleston offering a secluded and peaceful atmosphere. Known for its beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, and abundant wildlife, Seabrook Island is a great choice for those seeking a tranquil getaway. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, or simply exploring the island's natural beauty. Though Seabrook has slightly lower availability, you can also find more reasonable starting prices for apartments than in some other areas.

7. Hilton Head Island

• Population: 38,097
• Average one-bedroom rent: $2,181
• Number of currently available units: 122
• Walk score: 13
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 46

Hilton Head Island is a popular destination where golf reigns supreme. With 26 stunning golf courses as well as beautiful beaches, abundant tennis facilities, incredible natural beauty, and world-class dining, Hilton Head Island is certainly a go-to destination to both visit and live. There's also a lot of great luxury apartments to choose from in the area.

8. Sullivan's Island

• Population: 1,920
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $2,399
• Number of currently available units: 235
• Walk score: 42
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 57

Sullivan's Island is a historic beach town offering a laid-back and charming atmosphere. Home to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, Sullivan's Island is also the best beach town on our list for history buffs. Known for its historic homes and friendly locals, Sullivan's Island is a great choice for those seeking to live out a peaceful getaway. While you'll pay more to rent in this area, you'll also find a lot of great apartment options.

9. Kiawah Island

• Population: 1,988
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $2,800
• Number of currently available units: 250
• Walk score: 3
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 41

Kiawah Island is another private island community on our list offering a luxurious and secluded atmosphere. Known for its pristine beaches, championship golf courses, and world-class amenities, Kiawah Island is a great choice for those seeking to make their high-end vacation a year-round affair. Enjoy a lifestyle full of fishing, boating, or simply relaxing on the beach. While there's lots of availability in the area, keep in mind that you'll pay a premium to rent here.

10. Folly Beach

• Population: 37,056
• Starting one-bedroom rent: $2,800
• Number of currently available units: 246
• Walk score: n/a
• Transit score: n/a
• Bike score: 3

Folly Beach is a bohemian beach town offering a unique and laid-back atmosphere. Known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant arts scene, and fantastic annual events, Folly Beach is a great choice for those seeking a fun and eclectic experience. If you live in Folly, expect to join the rest of the community several times a year for events like the annual Christmas Parade, the Polar Plunge, and Mermaids and Mateys (where you can meet Mermaids on the beach).

Looking for an Apartment Near the Beach in South Carolina?

Simply click on the town names in any of the above descriptions to be taken to apartment listings, or take our fast and easy quiz to help get matched with a great apartment in your budget and ideal location!