Is Wilmington, NC or Myrtle Beach, SC the better place to buy? They’re built for different lifestyles. Myrtle Beach usually costs less to buy into and has lower property taxes on a primary home. Wilmington is a full-size city with a historic downtown, a university and a year-round economy, with beaches a short drive away. Your budget and how you’ll use the home should decide it.
I’m Tabi, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage in Wilmington. The two are only about 75 miles apart (roughly an hour and a half by car), so a lot of my relocating buyers look at both. Here’s how they compare on price, taxes, insurance and day-to-day life, using current numbers.
The quick comparison
- Median sale price (Redfin, 3 months ending August 2026): about $469,700 in Wilmington (up 3.2% year over year) vs. about $262,300 in the City of Myrtle Beach (down 6.3%). Myrtle Beach’s figure includes a large share of condos, so it isn’t a like-for-like house comparison.
- Typical days on market (same period): 56 in Wilmington vs. 104 in Myrtle Beach.
- Sales tax: 7% in Wilmington vs. 9% in the City of Myrtle Beach.
- State income tax (2026): North Carolina charges a flat 3.99%. South Carolina charges 1.99% on income under $30,000 and 5.21% above it.
- Property tax: Wilmington taxes every home at the same rate. South Carolina gives primary residences a much lower assessment than second homes and rentals.
- Average homeowners insurance (Insuranceopedia): about $3,421 a year in Wilmington vs. about $2,536 in Myrtle Beach. Both vary a lot by ZIP code.
Home prices: comparing apples to apples
Myrtle Beach’s headline median is much lower, but be careful with it. The city has a huge inventory of oceanfront and resort-area condos, and those pull the median down. Zillow’s typical home value for Myrtle Beach was about $324,500 as of July 2026, which gives a better sense of the broader market. Wilmington’s Redfin median was about $469,700 over the three months ending August 2026.
Even allowing for the condo effect, buyers usually get more for their money around Myrtle Beach. The market is also slower right now: Redfin’s August 2026 data showed Myrtle Beach homes taking about 104 days to sell and going for about 5% under list price. In Wilmington, it was 56 days and about 97% of list price. That can mean more room to negotiate in Myrtle Beach. It also means resale can take longer.
Around Wilmington, many buyers also look at nearby towns for more space or newer homes. My Leland buyer’s guide covers one of the most popular options.
Property taxes: primary home vs. second home
South Carolina assesses a legal primary residence at 4% of its value. Second homes, rentals and most other property are assessed at 6%. A July 2026 Horry County property tax guide estimated that a $350,000 primary residence typically pays about $1,200 to $1,800 a year. Second homes pay noticeably more. Treat that as a directional range, not a quote. The rate depends on the taxing district, and you have to apply for the 4% rate; it isn’t automatic.
In Wilmington, every home inside city limits pays New Hanover County’s rate (30.6¢ per $100 for FY2026–27) plus the City of Wilmington’s rate (33.15¢), about 63.75¢ per $100 combined. On a $350,000 home, that’s roughly $2,230 a year, whether it’s your primary home or a second home.
What this means for you:
- For a primary home, Myrtle Beach property taxes are usually lower.
- For a second home or rental, the gap narrows. Compare the actual numbers for the specific property, and check each town’s rules on short-term rentals.
Income and sales tax
North Carolina’s individual income tax is a flat 3.99% for 2026. South Carolina moved to two brackets for 2026: 1.99% on income under $30,000 and 5.21% above that, according to the SC Department of Revenue. For most working households, North Carolina’s rate is lower. Your deductions and retirement income can change the math, so check with a tax professional.
Sales tax is higher in Myrtle Beach: 9% in the city vs. 7% in Wilmington.
Homeowners insurance and storm risk
Insuranceopedia puts average homeowners premiums at about $3,421 a year in Wilmington and about $2,536 in Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach ZIP codes range from about $1,968 to $4,972, and Wilmington ZIPs vary just as much. North Carolina’s approved rate increases for 2025 and 2026 are part of why Wilmington’s average is higher. What you’ll actually pay depends on the home’s age, roof, construction, elevation and distance from the ocean. Here’s more on what homeowners insurance costs in Wilmington.
Both areas sit on the same stretch of coast and share the same hurricane season. Condos have extra insurance questions: check the association’s master policy, its reserves, and whether any special assessments are planned. For flood risk in Wilmington, my Wilmington flood zones guide walks through how to check a specific address.
Lifestyle and daily life
Myrtle Beach is built around the beach and tourism. It has a long stretch of Grand Strand beaches, a big golf scene, entertainment and attractions, and an airport with plenty of direct flights, especially in season. The flip side is heavy summer traffic and crowds, and an economy that leans on tourism.
Wilmington is a working city first. It has a historic riverfront downtown, UNC Wilmington, a hospital system, a film industry and a year-round job market, with Wrightsville, Carolina and Kure beaches a short drive away. If beach access is a priority, my Wrightsville vs. Carolina vs. Kure Beach comparison is a good next read. Roughly midway between the two cities, the Brunswick County beaches and Southport are a quieter option worth a look.
A lot of people land on this question: do you want to live at the beach town, or in a city near the beach? Myrtle Beach is the first. Wilmington is the second.
Water quality
Buyers moving to Wilmington often ask about PFAS in the Cape Fear River. Local utilities have added advanced treatment to address it, and my Wilmington water quality guide explains what each utility does. If you’re comparing with Myrtle Beach, look up that utility’s latest water quality report too.
Which one is right for you?
Wilmington may be the better fit if:
- You want a year-round city with a downtown, a university and a broader job market.
- You’re buying a second home and want a property tax rate that doesn’t change with how you use it.
- You’d rather pay a lower state income tax rate.
Myrtle Beach may be the better fit if:
- You want the lowest entry price, including condo options near the ocean.
- You’re buying a primary home and can take advantage of the 4% assessment.
- A resort-style beach lifestyle is the main goal.
See both before you decide
They’re close enough to tour in one weekend. Visit each in the summer and the off-season if you can, because both feel different once tourist season ends. If Wilmington makes your list, I’d love to show you around and help you compare real homes, taxes and insurance quotes.
Compare Wilmington with other cities
Weighing more than one move? Each of these side-by-side guides uses current, dated sources:
- Wilmington vs. Charleston, SC
- Wilmington vs. Savannah, GA
- Wilmington vs. Raleigh, NC
- Wilmington vs. Charlotte, NC
- Wilmington vs. the Outer Banks
- Wilmington vs. Virginia Beach, VA
- Wilmington vs. New Bern, NC
Call or text Tabi: 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Myrtle Beach cheaper than Wilmington, NC?
Usually, yes, to buy. In the three months ending August 2026, Redfin’s median sale price was about $262,300 in the City of Myrtle Beach and about $469,700 in Wilmington. Myrtle Beach’s median includes many condos, so compare similar homes. Zillow’s typical Myrtle Beach home value was about $324,500 in July 2026.
Are property taxes lower in Myrtle Beach or Wilmington?
For a primary home, usually in Myrtle Beach. South Carolina assesses a qualifying primary residence at 4% of value, versus 6% for second homes and rentals. Wilmington charges the same combined county and city rate, about 63.75 cents per $100 for FY2026–27, on every home.
How far is Wilmington, NC from Myrtle Beach, SC?
About 75 miles, or roughly an hour and a half by car.
Is homeowners insurance cheaper in Myrtle Beach than Wilmington?
On average, yes. Insuranceopedia’s averages are about $2,536 a year in Myrtle Beach and about $3,421 in Wilmington. Premiums vary widely by ZIP code, home age, roof and construction.
Which is better for a second home, Wilmington or Myrtle Beach?
It depends on the property. South Carolina taxes second homes at the higher 6% assessment, while Wilmington’s rate is the same for every home. Compare taxes, insurance, HOA or condo fees and local short-term rental rules on the specific property.
Tabetha Klein, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Figures reflect sources available as of September 2026 (Redfin city median sale prices, 3 months ending August 2026; Zillow Home Value Index for Myrtle Beach, July 2026; SC Department of Revenue 2026 income tax brackets; NC Department of Revenue; New Hanover County and City of Wilmington FY2026–27 tax rates; Horry County property tax guide, July 2026; Insuranceopedia average premiums; SalesTaxHandbook). Numbers change often. Verify taxes, insurance and flood information for any specific property. This article is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
Sources: Redfin: Wilmington housing market · Redfin: Myrtle Beach housing market · Zillow: Myrtle Beach home values · SC Department of Revenue: Individual Income Tax · Property Taxes in Horry County SC 2026 · Insuranceopedia: Myrtle Beach homeowners insurance · SalesTaxHandbook: Myrtle Beach sales tax
