Living in Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Surfside Beach · Census data 2020–2024
Surfside Beach has 4,270 residents with a median age of 55.5. The median household income is $70,106 (about the same as the South Carolina median), the median home value is $450,100, the median rent is $1,274/month.
Surfside Beach at a glance
- Population
- 4,270
- Median age
- 55.5State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $70,106State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $450,100State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $1,274/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 67.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39.5%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Surfside Beach a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income about the same as the South Carolina median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Home values 74% higher than the state median; unemployment of 8.6%; a poverty rate of 16.8%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Surfside Beach
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Surfside Beach the median home value is $450,100, 35% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,274 per month, which is 30.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,743 a month in housing costs.
Surfside Beach median household income
The median household income in Surfside Beach is $70,106 and the income per person is $40,980. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Surfside Beach: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,254
- Owner-occupied
- 67.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 32.5%
- Vacant
- 52.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.10
52.2% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Surfside Beach has many vacation and second homes.
Surfside Beach demographics
- Population
- 4,270
- Median age
- 55.5
- Under 18
- 12%
- 65 and older
- 28.9%
- Households
- 2,034
- Foreign-born
- 1.2%
- Veterans
- 10.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Surfside Beach ›
Education in Surfside Beach
39.5% of adults 25 and older in Surfside Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 17.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Surfside Beach
- Unemployment rate
- 8.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 12.7%
- Drive alone
- 71.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 89%
Surfside Beach vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfside Beach | 4,270 | $70,106 | $450,100 | $1,274 |
| Garden City | 11,591 | $47,249 | $217,400 | $1,472 |
| Socastee | 23,796 | $62,257 | $234,200 | $1,246 |
| Murrells Inlet | 10,044 | $77,438 | $366,000 | $1,751 |
| Forestbrook | 7,479 | $81,286 | $335,800 | $814 |
| Myrtle Beach | 38,371 | $60,394 | $388,800 | $1,261 |
| Carolina Forest | 26,263 | $74,436 | $336,800 | $1,668 |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | $249,500 | $1,179 |
| Litchfield Beach | 9,044 | $76,351 | $459,000 | $1,704 |
More for people moving to Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Surfside Beach: FAQ
What is the median household income in Surfside Beach, SC?
The median household income in Surfside Beach is $70,106, about the same as the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Surfside Beach?
The median home value in Surfside Beach is $450,100, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Surfside Beach?
The median gross rent in Surfside Beach is $1,274 per month, about 30.1% of household income.
Is Surfside Beach, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income about the same as the South Carolina median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: home values 74% higher than the state median; unemployment of 8.6%; a poverty rate of 16.8%.
What is the median age in Surfside Beach?
The median age in Surfside Beach is 55.5 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Surfside Beach?
The average commute to work in Surfside Beach is 20 minutes; 12.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Surfside Beach?
The unemployment rate in Surfside Beach is 8.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Surfside Beach?
39.5% of adults in Surfside Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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