Moving to North Myrtle Beach, SC: Living Guide

North Myrtle Beach is the quieter, more residential end of the Grand Strand. It is where the Carolina Shag and classic beach music took off in the 1940s, where anglers line the rails of the Cherry Grove Pier, and where Barefoot Landing draws shoppers to the Intracoastal Waterway. It is also a city with a very different profile from its bigger neighbor to the south: most homes are owner-occupied, and the median resident is past 60.

That makes North Myrtle Beach a strong fit for retirees, second-home owners who plan to stay year-round, and families who want a slower beach town while staying within half an hour of Myrtle Beach International Airport. Our NC & SC office is based in North Myrtle Beach, so this is home turf for our crews. This guide covers the numbers, the neighborhoods and the practical details that make a move here go smoothly.

Planning a move to North Myrtle Beach? Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 or get your price online.

Where Is North Myrtle Beach?

North Myrtle Beach is the northernmost city on the South Carolina side of the Grand Strand, in Horry County. It was created in 1968 when four beach towns merged: Cherry Grove Beach, Ocean Drive Beach, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill Beach. Those names still describe the city’s sections today, running roughly north to south.

Approximate driving distances:

Myrtle Beach: about 15.7 miles, roughly 25 minutes
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): about 18.4 miles, roughly 29 minutes
Wilmington, NC: about 56.7 miles, roughly 1 hour 11 minutes
Charlotte, NC: about 180 miles, roughly 3 hours 51 minutes

US-17 is the main north-south route through the city. The small Grand Strand Airport sits inside city limits, mostly handling private planes and banner-towing aircraft. For commercial flights, most residents use MYR. Our NC & SC team also covers Calabash on the North Carolina side, so moves between the two states are routine for us.

North Myrtle Beach Population & Demographics

The Census Bureau estimates North Myrtle Beach had 21,346 residents in July 2025, up 13.3% from 18,790 at the 2020 Census. The city is one of the oldest communities on the coast by median age: 61.9 years, with 41.6% of residents 65 or older. Incomes and education levels run above the state average, and the poverty rate is lower.

Measure	North Myrtle Beach	South Carolina	United States
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	21,346	5,570,274	341,784,857
Population (2020 Census)	18,790	—	331,449,281
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	61.9	—	—
Residents 65 and older	41.6%	21.1%	18.9%
Median household income (2020–2024)	$72,722	$69,324	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	39.9%	32.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	82.2%	—	65.2%
Persons in poverty	7.4%	—	—
Mean travel time to work	22.0 min	25.6 min	26.4 min

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median age from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

An 82.2% owner-occupancy rate is high for a beach town. In practical terms, many neighbors are permanent residents, and the city has a settled, small-town feel outside peak summer weeks.

A few other Census details help round out the picture. North Myrtle Beach is home to 1,647 veterans, per capita income is $51,483, and 5.3% of residents were born outside the United States. The city covers 21.16 square miles of land, so even with steady growth it has room to breathe: population density was about 888 people per square mile at the 2020 Census.

Is North Myrtle Beach Safe?

We did not find a crime data source recent and reliable enough to quote here, so we will keep this simple. Safety varies by street and by season in any beach town, and per-resident crime rates can be skewed by large numbers of summer visitors. Before you choose a home, contact the North Myrtle Beach police through the city’s website to ask about the area, and visit the neighborhood on a summer weekend evening as well as a winter weekday.

Cost of Living in North Myrtle Beach

Home Prices

North Myrtle Beach is one of the pricier housing markets on the Grand Strand. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $416,900 (2020–2024), compared with $259,000 for South Carolina and $332,700 for the country. Recent sales line up closely. Redfin reports a median sale price of about $413,000 over the three months ending August 2026, down 1.8% from a year earlier, with 591 homes sold and a median of 90 days on market. The median price per square foot was $245.

Oceanfront condos, golf villas, raised beach houses and inland single-family homes all trade here, so ask your agent for comparable sales of the same home type rather than relying on the citywide median.

Rent

The median gross rent in North Myrtle Beach is $1,263 a month (2020–2024), slightly above the South Carolina median of $1,180 and below the U.S. median of $1,413. Because so many homes are owner-occupied, the long-term rental pool is smaller than in Myrtle Beach. Start looking early, especially if you need a lease that begins in late spring or summer.

Best Neighborhoods in North Myrtle Beach

Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove is the northern end of the city, bordered by the ocean, a salt marsh and the Intracoastal Waterway. Its centerpiece is the 985-foot Cherry Grove Pier. With ocean on one side and marsh and waterway on the other, it appeals to people who like to fish, crab or spend time on the water. It suits buyers who want a quieter, water-focused setting. Expect raised homes and flood-zone questions, so line up insurance quotes before you make an offer.

Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive, known locally as “OD,” is the heart of the city’s beach music culture. Main Street runs down to the ocean past the historic OD Pavilion and shag clubs like Fat Harold’s, and the free Music on Main concert series runs Thursday nights from June through September. It suits people who want to walk to restaurants, events and the beach, and who don’t mind a lively summer.

Windy Hill and the Barefoot Area

Windy Hill is the southernmost section of North Myrtle Beach, with access to both the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway. It sits close to Barefoot Landing, the Alabama Theatre and House of Blues. It suits buyers who want to be near shopping, dining and entertainment,.

Weather & Climate

Based on 1991–2020 normals from the North Myrtle Beach Airport weather station, January highs average about 55.7°F with lows near 36.7°F. July highs average about 87.6°F with lows near 73.7°F. The station averages about 48.5 inches of precipitation a year. Snow is rare along this part of the coast.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the peak around September 10 and most activity from mid-August to mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center. Horry County assigns hurricane evacuation zones A, B and C. Look up your new address on the county’s “Know Your Zone” map as soon as you have it.

Best months to move: Late April through May and October through early November. You get mild weather and lighter traffic on US-17. Midsummer moves are doable with an early start and plenty of water for everyone.

Things to Do in North Myrtle Beach

Cherry Grove Pier

Built in the 1950s and rebuilt after Hurricane Hugo, the Cherry Grove Pier at 3502 North Ocean Boulevard stretches 985 feet over the Atlantic. It is open daily from 6am to 11pm, has a full tackle shop and rod rentals, and holds some famous catches, including a 1,780-pound tiger shark.

Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing at 4898 US-17 opened in 1988 on the Intracoastal Waterway. Its 64 acres hold more than 100 stores and restaurants, plus the Alabama Theatre, House of Blues and Alligator Adventure. Locals come for boardwalk strolls, concerts and holiday events.

Main Street and the Shag

Fat Harold’s Beach Club at 212 Main Street calls itself the “Home of the Shag,” and it was inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1996. DJs play beach music nightly. Even if you have never danced the shag, a night on Main Street is a good way to meet your new neighbors.

North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex

This 162-acre city park at 150 Citizens Circle includes a 25-acre lake, a 20-acre Carolina Bay, eight soccer and lacrosse fields, six baseball and softball fields, playgrounds, two dog parks and 3.5 miles of walking and biking trails. It opens at 6:30am daily.

Alligator Adventure

Alligator Adventure is part of the Barefoot Landing complex, and the city’s tourism site describes it as one of the largest reptile facilities in the world. It is a good rainy-day outing for visiting grandkids, and it is close to the shops and restaurants along the waterway.

Live Shows at Barefoot Landing

The Alabama Theatre and House of Blues both sit at Barefoot Landing, so live music and variety shows are a short drive from anywhere in the city.

Where to Eat in North Myrtle Beach

Hoskins Restaurant

Hubert and Leona Hoskins opened this restaurant in 1948, and it still serves three meals a day at 405 Main Street. The menu leans on seafood, steaks and fried chicken. It is a true local institution in Ocean Drive.

LuLu’s North Myrtle Beach

LuLu’s sits at 4954 Highway 17 South in Barefoot Landing, right on the Intracoastal Waterway. It serves Southern coastal food, has live music most evenings (except Wednesdays), and has a ropes course and sandy play area that keep kids busy.

Driftwood Restaurant at Cherry Grove Pier

At the Cherry Grove Pier, the Driftwood restaurant serves casual American food from 11am to 9pm with a view straight down the beach. It is an easy lunch spot after a morning of fishing or a walk on the pier.

Jobs & Economy

Tourism, hospitality and retail are the backbone of the North Myrtle Beach economy, as they are across Horry County, where accommodation and food services form the largest employment sector. Many residents are retired, and many working residents commute to jobs across the Grand Strand. The Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation lists the county’s largest employers as Horry County Schools (about 6,400 employees), Coastal Carolina University (about 2,700), Horry County Government (about 2,650), Conway Medical Center (about 1,800), McLeod Seacoast (about 1,700) and Grand Strand Regional Medical Center (about 1,300).

North Myrtle Beach workers average a 22-minute commute, a bit shorter than the state average of 25.6 minutes.

Schools in North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is served by Horry County Schools, which serves more than 47,000 students in 58 schools. North Myrtle Beach High School is the city’s high school, and the district’s application-based programs, such as Scholars Academy, the Academy for Arts, Science & Technology and Early College High School, are open to students countywide. Use the district’s “Find My School” map to confirm your assigned schools before you sign a lease or contract.

Coastal Carolina University in Conway and Horry-Georgetown Technical College, with campuses in Conway, Myrtle Beach and Georgetown, are the closest higher-education options.

North Myrtle Beach Quick Facts

County	Horry County
ZIP codes	29566, 29568, 29582, 29597, 29598
Area codes	843, 854
Formed	1968, from Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill
Nearest commercial airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR), about 18.4 miles
Local airport	Grand Strand Airport (private and small aircraft)
Land area	21.16 square miles
Population (2025 estimate)	21,346
Public school district	Horry County Schools

Moving to North Myrtle Beach: Tips From Our Crew

Plan for raised homes. Many houses near the beach and the marsh in Cherry Grove sit on pilings with long outdoor staircases. Tell us about stairs when you ask for a quote, and measure large furniture against the landing and door widths.
Reserve condo elevators in writing. Oceanfront condo buildings along Ocean Boulevard usually set move-in hours and require a service elevator reservation. Get the rules from your HOA or management company and share them with your crew ahead of time.
Time your move around Main Street events. Ocean Drive hosts Music on Main on summer Thursday nights, plus parades and festivals through the year. If your new home is near Main Street, check the city events calendar so a moving truck isn’t stuck behind a street closure.
Cross the state line with the right paperwork. Plenty of people move between the North Carolina side of the line and North Myrtle Beach. Update your driver’s license, vehicle registration and voter registration in your new state after you move, and keep your moving paperwork handy.
Keep the go-bag out of the truck. If you move during hurricane season, pack medications, documents, chargers and a few days of clothes in your own vehicle. Check your evacuation zone on Horry County’s “Know Your Zone” map.
Downsizing? Start early. Many people moving here are going from a larger house to a condo or smaller beach home. Decide what stays, what goes to family and what gets donated before moving day. Our junk removal service can haul off what you don’t need.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to North Myrtle Beach

How much do movers cost in North Myrtle Beach?

Every move is priced differently. The size of your home, the distance, stairs or elevators, packing needs and the date all affect cost. We would rather give you a real number than a guess. Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 for a free quote, and an owner will call you back, typically within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Is North Myrtle Beach good for retirees?

For many people, yes. The median age is 61.9, and more than 40% of residents are 65 or older, so you will have plenty of company. Mild winters, golf, fishing, the shag scene and an international airport within about 30 minutes all add to the appeal.

What is the difference between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach?

They are separate cities about 16 miles apart. North Myrtle Beach is smaller, older on average and more owner-occupied (82.2% compared with 60.5% in Myrtle Beach). It has fewer large attractions and more of a small-town beach feel, while Myrtle Beach has the boardwalk, the airport and larger entertainment districts.

When is the best time to move to North Myrtle Beach?

Spring and fall are usually easiest, with mild temperatures and lighter traffic. Summer brings heat and visitors, and hurricane season peaks around September 10. If you have flexibility, aim for late April, May, October or early November.

Do you move people from other states to North Myrtle Beach?

Yes. Our NC & SC office is based here, and our North Myrtle Beach moving crews handle long-distance moves into the Grand Strand as well as local moves across Horry County and the nearby North Carolina coast. We also offer storage if your closing date and moving date don’t line up.

Move to North Myrtle Beach With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our NC & SC office is right here in North Myrtle Beach. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. Our Owner’s Promise means you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60–90 days. From condo moves to full packing and unpacking, our North Myrtle Beach movers are ready to help. Call 910-758-0081 to talk with an owner.

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Moving to North Myrtle Beach, SC: Living in North Myrtle Beach Guide