Myrtle Beach, SC vs Wilmington, NC
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach, SC | WilmingtonWilmington, NC | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Average | Same |
| Cost of Living | Same | ||
| Crime | Elevated | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Great | Great | Same |
| Sovereignty | Self-Reliant | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | Same |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 47 years, Myrtle Beach, SC has a median age 9.5 years older than Wilmington, NC's 37.5, per 2023 Census figures. That age gap sits alongside a sharp difference in scale: Wilmington's population of 118,578 is 3.2× larger than Myrtle Beach's 37,214, and its density of 2,307 people per square mile is 45% higher than the 1,588 in Myrtle Beach. The two cities also diverge on unemployment, with Myrtle Beach at 4.8% versus Wilmington's 3.4%, a 1.4-point gap, while job growth over the past year runs +2.4% in Myrtle Beach against +1.1% in Wilmington.
Safety figures show the widest gaps. Myrtle Beach records 1,097 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 2.7× higher than Wilmington's 404, and 5,375 property crimes per 100,000, 85% higher than Wilmington's 2,901. Traffic deaths per 100,000 stand at 46 in Myrtle Beach versus 8 in Wilmington, a 6.0× difference, placing Myrtle Beach in the 88th percentile and Wilmington in the 17th. Healthcare access also splits: Wilmington scores 97/100, 21 points higher than Myrtle Beach's 76/100, putting Wilmington in the 76th percentile and Myrtle Beach in the 39th.
Costs and taxes point the other way. The cost of living index is 108 in Myrtle Beach and 117 in Wilmington, 8% higher in the latter, while median rent runs $1,132 versus $1,311, 16% higher in Wilmington. State and local tax burden reaches 9.9% in Wilmington, 1.0 point higher than Myrtle Beach's 8.9%. Median household income is 19% higher in Wilmington at $63,900 versus $53,679, and the share of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher is 45.8% there, 11.7 points above Myrtle Beach's 34.1%.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
Looking at homes in Myrtle Beach or Wilmington?
Get a property report for a specific address.
Free account required. Your first report is free.
Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 10854th pctl | 11761st pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Myrtle Beach, SC 108; Wilmington, NC 117; Wilmington is 8% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $347,70063rd pctl | $350,30064th pctl | About the same |
| Median rent | $1,13243rd pctl | $1,31158th pctl | Median rent: Myrtle Beach, SC $1,132; Wilmington, NC $1,311; Wilmington is 16% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $53,67919th pctl | $63,90036th pctl | Median household income: Myrtle Beach, SC $53,679; Wilmington, NC $63,900; Wilmington is 19% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $67,55264th pctl | $68,05765th pctl | About the same |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $99,30164th pctl | $100,04465th pctl | About the same |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Stretched | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Wilmington needs about
$81,300
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 108 vs 117). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 4.8%88th pctl | 3.4%39th pctl | Unemployment: Myrtle Beach, SC 4.8%; Wilmington, NC 3.4%; Myrtle Beach is 1.4 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +2.4%84th pctl | +1.1%50th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Myrtle Beach, SC +2.4%; Wilmington, NC +1.1%; Myrtle Beach is 1.3 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $42,22562nd pctl | $46,06271st pctl | Per-capita income: Myrtle Beach, SC $42,225; Wilmington, NC $46,062; Wilmington is 9% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 16.9%73rd pctl | 16.3%71st pctl | About the same |
| CommuteAverage commute | 18.5 min17th pctl | 18.5 min17th pctl | About the same |
| Work from home | 12.5%60th pctl | 17.7%78th pctl | Work from home: Myrtle Beach, SC 12.5%; Wilmington, NC 17.7%; Wilmington is 5.2 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Strong | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 1,09798th pctl | 40478th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Myrtle Beach, SC 1,097; Wilmington, NC 404; Myrtle Beach is 2.7 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 5,37599th pctl | 2,90191st pctl | Property crime per 100k: Myrtle Beach, SC 5,375; Wilmington, NC 2,901; Myrtle Beach is 85% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Fair | About the same |
| Traffic safety | DangerousCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Myrtle Beach, SC F; Wilmington, NC A+; Wilmington is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Healthcare access: Myrtle Beach, SC A-; Wilmington, NC A+; Wilmington is graded higher. |
| Tap water | Clean | Clean | About the same |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | About the same |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Myrtle Beach, SC; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | FriendlyState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | noneState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | highState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | BState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | AState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | B+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | C-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 553 mi74th pctl | 497 mi73rd pctl | Nearest large city: Myrtle Beach, SC 553 mi; Wilmington, NC 497 mi; Myrtle Beach is 11% higher. |
| Target proximity | Great | Fair | Target proximity: Myrtle Beach, SC A+; Wilmington, NC B-; Myrtle Beach is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 637 mi86th pctl | 609 mi82nd pctl | About the same |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 1 mi2nd pctl | 1 mi2nd pctl | Distance to coastline: Myrtle Beach, SC 1 mi; Wilmington, NC 1 mi; Wilmington is 40% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | Vulnerable | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Myrtle Beach, SC | Wilmington, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 37,21465th pctl | 118,57891st pctl | Population: Myrtle Beach, SC 37,214; Wilmington, NC 118,578; Wilmington is 3.2 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 1,58849th pctl | 2,30766th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Myrtle Beach, SC 1,588; Wilmington, NC 2,307; Wilmington is 45% higher. |
| Median age | 4790th pctl | 37.546th pctl | Median age: Myrtle Beach, SC 47; Wilmington, NC 37.5; Myrtle Beach is 9.5 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.1%55th pctl | 45.8%74th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Myrtle Beach, SC 34.1%; Wilmington, NC 45.8%; Wilmington is 11.7 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.214th pctl | 2.18th pctl | About the same |
More about Myrtle Beach's residents · Wilmington's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
| Measure | Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach, SC | WilmingtonWilmington, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Cook PVI | R+12 | R+7 |
| 2024 presidential | R +27.0 pts | R +14.0 pts |
Full politics data: Myrtle Beach · Wilmington
Moving between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington
- Median rent: $1,132 in Myrtle Beach, $1,311 in Wilmington
- Median home value: $347,700 in Myrtle Beach, $350,300 in Wilmington
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 108 in Myrtle Beach, 117 in Wilmington
- Median household income: $53,679 in Myrtle Beach, $63,900 in Wilmington
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $99,301 in Myrtle Beach, $100,044 in Wilmington
- Unemployment: 4.8% in Myrtle Beach, 3.4% in Wilmington
- Average commute: 18.5 min in Myrtle Beach, 18.5 min in Wilmington
- Violent crime per 100k: 1,097 in Myrtle Beach, 404 in Wilmington
Weigh these by what matters to you
ReloMaps in ChatGPT can look at Myrtle Beach and Wilmington against your own priorities, like budget, commute or climate.
Use ReloMaps in ChatGPT →Found a home in Myrtle Beach or Wilmington?
A property report covers the address itself: the block, the neighbourhood data, risks and more, beyond these city-wide figures.
Free account required. Your first report is free.
Compare a different pair
More places like Myrtle Beach and Wilmington
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
ReloMaps may earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you.