Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in South Carolina using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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1 / 30#30. Boiling Springs, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,958
- Population: 11,191
- Median household income: $68,993
- Median home value: $198,900 (82% own)
- Median rent: $900 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Shoally Creek Elementary School (grade A), Meeting Street Academy-Spartanburg (grade A), Boiling Springs Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Spartanburg Day School (grade A), Oakbrook Preparatory School (grade A), Spartanburg Christian Academy (grade A minus)
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2 / 30#29. Golden Grove, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,924
- Population: 3,282
- Median household income: $67,147
- Median home value: $145,900 (84% own)
- Median rent: $992 (16% 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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3 / 30#28. James Island, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,917
- Population: 11,689
- Median household income: $95,364
- Median home value: $416,300 (86% own)
- Median rent: $2,009 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Academic Magnet High School (grade A+), Charleston School of the Arts (grade A), Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Porter-Gaud School (grade A+), University School of the Lowcountry (grade A), Charleston Collegiate School (grade A)
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4 / 30#27. Blythewood, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,909
- Population: 4,890
- Median household income: $100,595
- Median home value: $349,600 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,094 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Blythewood High School (grade A), Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School (grade B+), Muller Road Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A), Covenant Classical Christian School (grade B+)
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5 / 30#26. Fountain Inn, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,804
- Population: 10,675
- Median household income: $73,665
- Median home value: $204,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $977 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenville Technical Charter High School (grade A+), Sterling School (grade A), Greenville Senior High Academy (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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6 / 30#25. Cayce, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,571
- Population: 13,755
- Median household income: $56,976
- Median home value: $147,700 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,246 (42% rent)
- Top public schools: Dreher High School (grade A), GREEN Charter School Midlands (grade A minus), Brockman Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A)
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7 / 30#24. Powdersville, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,530
- Population: 10,678
- Median household income: $81,375
- Median home value: $283,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,029 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenville Technical Charter High School (grade A+), SC Governor's School for Arts & Humanities (grade A+), Greer Middle College Charter High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ Church Episcopal School (grade A+), Montessori School of Anderson (grade A), Saint Joseph's Catholic School (grade A)
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8 / 30#23. India Hook, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,490
- Population: 4,385
- Median household income: $101,616
- Median home value: $270,600 (96% own)
- Median rent: $957 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Oakridge Elementary School (grade A), Oakridge Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Anne Catholic School (grade A), Walnut Grove Christian School (grade A minus), Lake Pointe Academy (grade A minus)
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9 / 30#22. Lake Wylie, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,436
- Population: 14,382
- Median household income: $111,424
- Median home value: $425,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,431 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Crowders Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Gaston Day School (grade A+), Walnut Grove Christian School (grade A minus), Gaston Christian School (grade A minus)
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10 / 30#21. Sullivan's Island, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,427
- Population: 2,317
- Median household income: $171,838
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (84% own)
- Median rent: $2,321 (16% 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: University School of the Lowcountry (grade A), Ashley Hall School (grade A minus), Bishop England High School (grade A minus)
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11 / 30#20. North Augusta, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,426
- Population: 24,425
- Median household income: $85,093
- Median home value: $210,000 (71% own)
- Median rent: $969 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: North Augusta High School (grade A minus), Fox Creek Charter High School (grade A minus), Belvedere Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Augusta Preparatory Day School (grade A+), Westminster Schools of Augusta (grade A), Mead Hall Episcopal School (grade A)
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12 / 30#19. Mauldin, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,395
- Population: 25,267
- Median household income: $75,565
- Median home value: $220,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,342 (33% 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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13 / 30#18. Isle of Palms, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,389
- Population: 4,347
- Median household income: $160,417
- Median home value: $1,065,500 (90% own)
- Median rent: $3,103 (10% 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: University School of the Lowcountry (grade A), Bishop England High School (grade A minus), Palmetto Christian Academy (grade A minus)
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14 / 30#17. Greer, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,357
- Population: 37,010
- Median household income: $73,534
- Median home value: $239,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (29% 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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15 / 30#16. Simpsonville, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,343
- Population: 24,133
- Median household income: $79,937
- Median home value: $240,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,190 (30% 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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16 / 30#15. Reidville, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,299
- Population: 1,734
- Median household income: $115,972
- Median home value: $307,600 (94% own)
- Median rent: $931 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: East Link Academy (grade A), Reidville Elementary School (grade A minus), Berry Shoals Intermediate School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Saint Joseph's Catholic School (grade A), Southside Christian School (grade A), Oakbrook Preparatory School (grade A)
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17 / 30#14. Irmo, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,265
- Population: 11,685
- Median household income: $77,656
- Median home value: $168,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,329 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Spring Hill High School (grade A+), Ballentine Elementary School (grade A), Dutch Fork High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Ben Lippen School (grade A), Cardinal Newman School (grade A), Northside Christian Academy (grade A minus)
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18 / 30#13. Wade Hampton, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,234
- Population: 21,029
- Median household income: $71,564
- Median home value: $275,700 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,022 (36% 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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19 / 30#12. Northlake, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,181
- 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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20 / 30#11. Central, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,177
- 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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21 / 30#10. Seven Oaks, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,173
- 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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22 / 30#9. Taylors, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,064
- 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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23 / 30#8. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 887
- 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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24 / 30#7. Lexington, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 879
- 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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25 / 30#6. Clemson, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 752
- 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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26 / 30#5. Five Forks, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 709
- 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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27 / 30#4. Forest Acres, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 540
- 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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28 / 30#3. Pendleton, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 440
- 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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29 / 30#2. Fort Mill, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 381
- 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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30 / 30#1. Tega Cay, South Carolina
- Overall Rank: 106
- 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 40 states.
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