01 · the cities
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is the Grand Strand's anchor, with 60 miles of beach, more than 80 mini golf courses (it might be the mini golf capital of America), and a boardwalk packed with arcades and pancake houses. Calabash-style fried seafood is a thing. It's a family beach town, full stop, with affordable oceanfront and easy access to Charleston a few hours south.
full dispatch→Wilmington
Wilmington has been called 'Hollywood East' for the volume of film and TV produced here (Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, and dozens of features). The historic riverfront on the Cape Fear is genuinely charming, and Wrightsville Beach is 15 minutes away. The food scene punches above its weight, especially seafood. UNCW keeps it youthful. A coastal city with both beach and downtown charm.
full dispatch→02 · the money
Median rent
Median rent
$1,727/mo
$1,675/mo
$52/mo less than Myrtle Beach (3%)
Median home price
Median home price
$361k
$448k
$87k more than Myrtle Beach
State income tax
State income tax
6.5%
4.5%
Gross left after rent
Gross left after rent
$6,065/mo
$6,283/mo
Wilmington has $218/mo more gross after rent at $100k
Gross left after rent reflects state income tax but not federal, based on $100k salary. Enter your salary to find your ideal city.
03 · the weather
Pleasant days/yr
Pleasant days/yr
249 days
235 days
14 fewer than Myrtle Beach
Extreme heat days
Extreme heat days
0 days
1 days
days above 95°F per year
Extreme cold days
Extreme cold days
0 days
1 days
days below 20°F per year
Myrtle Beach edges ahead on pleasant days, but both cities have comparable comfort overall.
04 · the life
OutdoorScore
OutdoorScore
58 / 100
54 / 100
4.0 pts behind Myrtle Beach
Nonstop flights
Nonstop flights
23 routes
5 routes
18 fewer direct routes than Myrtle Beach
Metro size
Metro size
397k metro
467k metro
Myrtle Beach has 1.1x more events per month than Wilmington.
the verdict
4
Myrtle Beach
categories won
3
Wilmington
categories won
Myrtle Beach wins on weather and lifestyle. Wilmington has the edge on money.
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