Gone are the days of mass migration to a few trendy states. Instead, movers are spreading out, prioritizing affordability, quality of life, and flexibility — with Myrtle Beach among this year’s top destinations. New 2024 mover search data finds that Myrtle Beach ranks as the 2nd most move to city in the U.S. in 2024!
Other local highlights include:
- Myrtle Beach is the 2nd most move to city thanks to a strong 2.56 in-to-out move ratio, meaning for every 256 searches for moves in there are only 100 out. Myrtle Beach’s coastal charm, low cost of living, and active retirement community make it a favorite among retirees and families alike.
- South Carolina secures the #1 spot as the most popular state for movers in 2024, with 2.05 in-moves for every out-move.
- Other South Carolina cities, like #4 Greenville (2.10 in-to-out) and #16 Charleston (1.62 in-to-out), continue to attract families and younger professionals seeking strong job markets and affordability.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of adults aged 65 and older in the area experienced a 23% increase between 2020 and 2023, making it the fastest-growing and 2nd most move to city in the country.
Myrtle Beach is the 2nd most move to city
Additional key takeaways from The 2024-2025 moveBuddha Migration Report include:
- The era of blockbuster migration hotspots is over, and affordable states are winning big. Of the top 10 move-to states, 7 have housing that falls under the national average.
- Retirees are still flocking to the Southern cities (#1 The Villages, FL and#2 Myrtle Beach, SC). While an increasing number of relocations are to smaller, affordable cities, suburbs, and even college towns where homeownership is more viable, such as #6 Cary, #7 Asheville, NC; #16 Charleston, NC; and #20 Eugene, OR.
- Mid-sized metros with strong job markets draw new residents at the highest rates. Raleigh, NC; Boise, ID; Charleston, SC; Greenville, SC; and Huntsville, AL top the top move-to metros per capita list.
Data source: The data used in this report is collected directly from moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator, an analysis of over 200,000 queries annually since 2020.
Reasons Why Myrtle Beach is the 2nd most move to city
There are many beaches in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, including family-friendly beaches, beaches with piers, and beaches with unique ecosystems which cause the area to be ranked 2nd most move to city:
Surfside Beach – This family-friendly beach features a 1.8-mile stretch of soft white sand and calm waters. It offers seasonal lifeguard coverage, restroom facilities, showers, foot showers, a playground area, as well as horseshoe pits and shuffleboard courts.
Cherry Grove Beach – This beach in South Carolina is renowned for its excellence and is particularly famous for the Cherry Grove Pier. This pier features an expansive observation deck that offers breathtaking views spanning across miles. Additionally, visitors can explore a bait and tackle shop and enjoy exciting activities like parasailing or banana boating via boat rides.
Atlantic Beach, also referred to as The Black Pearl, is a charming and lively locale renowned for its popularity as a wedding destination, offering a more serene and less congested beach experience compared to other coastal areas.
The Golden Mile is a peaceful stretch located from 31st Avenue North to 52nd Avenue North, offering the perfect escape by the beach for those seeking serenity.
North Myrtle Beach offers a variety of six main beaches, namely Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, Crescent Beach, Windy Hill, Ocean Drive, and Atlantic Beach.
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
