Best Suburbs to Live in South Carolina

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Best suburbs to live in South Carolina

Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its . 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 for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are and new headquarters in less urban areas.

compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in South Carolina using data from Niche's . 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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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#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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