Is Myrtle Beach expensive?

No, Myrtle Beach is moderately priced by US standards, and cheaper than most coastal resort towns of its size. CostLiving tracks it at $3,275 a month at the moderate tier for a single person, which is close to the US national picture rather than above it, unusual for a beach destination where the ocean view usually carries a heavy premium. South Carolina keeps the fixed costs down: property taxes are among the lowest in the country, the state income tax is modest, and housing away from the oceanfront is reasonable, so a resident who lives a few minutes inland rather than on the strand pays far less than the tourist-facing prices suggest. The costs that push a budget up here are seasonal and optional. Summer brings crowds and higher prices, home insurance reflects hurricane and coastal-flood risk and is a real line to plan for, and anything directly on the beach, whether rent or dining, is priced for visitors. Live like a local a short drive from the sand and Myrtle Beach is affordable; try to live the vacation version year-round and it climbs. For how it fits the wider US picture, see our USA cost of living insight. Full tier breakdown on our Myrtle Beach cost of living page.