Best Places to Live in South Carolina

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Best places to live in South Carolina

An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.

Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in South Carolina using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.

Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.

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BAZA Production // Shutterstock

#12. Central, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 2,336
- Population: 5,272
- Median household income: $45,909
- Median home value: $207,000 (20% own)
- Median rent: $919 (80% rent)
- Top public schools: D.W. Daniel High School (grade A), R.C. Edwards Middle School (grade A minus), Central Academy of the Arts (grade B)
- Top private schools: Easley Christian School (grade C+), Trinity Baptist Preschool (grade unavailable), Clemson Montessori School (grade unavailable)

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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Clemson, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,427
- Population: 17,557
- Median household income: $50,263
- Median home value: $347,800 (36% own)
- Median rent: $963 (64% rent)
- Top public schools: D.W. Daniel High School (grade A), Clemson Elementary School (grade A), Riverside Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Oconee Christian Academy (grade A minus), Anderson Christian School (grade B+), Easley Christian School (grade C+)

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#10. Five Forks, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,330
- Population: 18,592
- Median household income: $133,750
- Median home value: $396,800 (90% own)
- Median rent: $2,053 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenville Technical Charter High School (grade A+), SC Governor's School for Arts & Humanities (grade A+), Sterling School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ Church Episcopal School (grade A+), Saint Joseph's Catholic School (grade A), Southside Christian School (grade A)

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#9. Forest Acres, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,009
- Population: 10,514
- Median household income: $68,110
- Median home value: $232,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,095 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A minus), Brockman Elementary School (grade A minus), A.C. Flora High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A)

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#8. Fort Mill, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 714
- Population: 26,022
- Median household income: $128,125
- Median home value: $414,600 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,325 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Springfield Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Anne Catholic School (grade A), Charlotte Catholic High School (grade A), Walnut Grove Christian School (grade A minus)

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Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock

#7. Lexington, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,702
- Population: 23,665
- Median household income: $78,164
- Median home value: $239,700 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,270 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: River Bluff High School (grade A), Meadow Glen Elementary School (grade A), Lexington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A)

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#6. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,728
- Population: 90,945
- Median household income: $115,167
- Median home value: $608,600 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,901 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Academic Magnet High School (grade A+), Charleston School of the Arts (grade A), Wando High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Porter-Gaud School (grade A+), University School of the Lowcountry (grade A), First Baptist School (grade A)

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#5. Northlake, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 2,344
- Population: 3,989
- Median household income: $93,271
- Median home value: $232,500 (84% own)
- Median rent: $991 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Southwood Academy of the Arts (grade A), McCants Middle School (grade A), Concord Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Montessori School of Anderson (grade A), Temple Christian Academy (grade B+), Anderson Christian School (grade B+)

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#4. Pendleton, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 846
- Population: 3,498
- Median household income: $63,750
- Median home value: $202,000 (54% own)
- Median rent: $946 (46% rent)
- Top public schools: Riverside Middle School (grade A), Pendleton High School (grade B+), Pendleton Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Montessori School of Anderson (grade A), Temple Christian Academy (grade B+), Anderson Christian School (grade B+)

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#3. Seven Oaks, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 2,329
- Population: 15,826
- Median household income: $61,615
- Median home value: $181,300 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,119 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Spring Hill High School (grade A+), GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A minus), Nursery Road Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A)

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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#2. Taylors, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 2,097
- Population: 23,005
- Median household income: $70,234
- Median home value: $220,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,160 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenville Technical Charter High School (grade A+), SC Governor's School for Arts & Humanities (grade A+), Sterling School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ Church Episcopal School (grade A+), Saint Joseph's Catholic School (grade A), Southside Christian School (grade A)

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#1. Tega Cay, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 170
- Population: 12,816
- Median household income: $140,172
- Median home value: $462,900 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,253 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Gold Hill Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Anne Catholic School (grade A), Charlotte Catholic High School (grade A), Walnut Grove Christian School (grade A minus)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.