CostIndexUSA

Atlanta, GA vs Myrtle Beach, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

GA
Atlanta
100.1
overall index
$1,800/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Myrtle Beach
93.6
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Myrtle Beach is moderately cheaper than Atlanta — 6.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlanta, you would need $74,800 in Myrtle Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing25.1%
Atlanta
111
Myrtle Beach
83.1
🛒 Groceries4.1%
Atlanta
100.4
Myrtle Beach
96.3
🚗 Transportation+1.7%
Atlanta
101.5
Myrtle Beach
103.2
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Atlanta
91.9
Myrtle Beach
93.4
Utilities8.5%
Atlanta
96.2
Myrtle Beach
88

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Atlanta to see what you'd need to earn in Myrtle Beach to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Myrtle Beach, SC
$74,800
$5,200 less needed in Myrtle Beach

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 100.1) = salary × 0.9351. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,800
Housing Index
111
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.3×

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
83.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Atlanta has 25.1% lower housing costs compared to Myrtle Beach.

Income & Job Market

Atlanta, GA

Median Household Income
$86,500
Per Capita Income
$49,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
498,715
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaHealthcareLogistics

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Household Income
$69,000
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
34,695
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareRetailReal EstateHospitality

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlanta, GA
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Myrtle Beach, SC
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.