Myrtle Beach Named No. 5 Best Small City in America for 2026
Myrtle Beach has earned another impressive national distinction—one that reflects what residents, visitors and property owners have appreciated about the Grand Strand for years.
The 2026 America’s Best Cities Report from Resonance Consultancy ranked Myrtle Beach the No. 5 Best Small City in America. The Myrtle Beach metropolitan area also placed No. 55 overall among the 393 metropolitan areas evaluated nationwide.
A City People Don’t Just Visit—They Love
Myrtle Beach earned especially strong marks in two important categories:
- No. 2 for Lovability
- No. 7 for Livability
Lovability considers the experiences that make people excited to visit, share and return to a community, including restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, attractions, outdoor recreation and overall visitor appeal.
Livability looks more closely at everyday quality-of-life factors such as climate, access to green space, housing affordability, healthcare and broadband connectivity.
Those rankings help explain why Myrtle Beach continues to appeal to such a broad range of people. Some first discover the area during a family vacation. Others return to purchase a second home, invest in a vacation-rental property, relocate permanently or enjoy retirement near the coast.
More Than a Vacation Destination
The beach may bring people here, but the overall lifestyle often convinces them to stay.
The Myrtle Beach area offers approximately 60 miles of coastline, along with golf, boating, fishing, dining, live entertainment and communities that range from lively resort districts to quieter residential neighborhoods. Buyers can explore everything from oceanfront condominiums and vacation homes to established neighborhoods, new construction and primary residences away from the beachfront.
The national ranking also recognized Myrtle Beach as a community that has consistently invested in creating a strong sense of place for residents and visitors. The report placed it alongside other highly regarded small cities, including Savannah, Boulder, Asheville and Ann Arbor.
Growth Brings Opportunity—and Important Decisions
Horry County continues to attract new residents, contributing to long-term economic activity and demand throughout the region. Separate research connected to the Collaborate2031 planning initiative identified the county as a leading growth and domestic-migration market among the peer communities studied.
That growth creates opportunities, but it also makes local knowledge increasingly important.
The Myrtle Beach real estate market is not one uniform market. Conditions can vary considerably between Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City Beach and Murrells Inlet—and even between individual communities or condominium buildings.
Property values and ownership costs may be affected by factors such as:
- Location and proximity to the ocean
- Flood zones and insurance requirements
- HOA finances and special assessments
- Short-term rental rules
- Building condition and maintenance history
- Rental performance and management agreements
- Current inventory and buyer demand
A national ranking is encouraging, but a successful real estate decision still depends on understanding the specific property, community and intended use.
What This Recognition Means for Local Real Estate
Awards do not guarantee that property values will rise or that every purchase will make financial sense. They do, however, reinforce the qualities that continue to attract residents, vacationers and investors to the Grand Strand.
For sellers, the ranking provides another positive way to present the Myrtle Beach lifestyle to prospective buyers.
For buyers, it confirms that they are considering a region recognized nationally for both its appeal and quality of life—but careful property-level research remains essential.
For current homeowners, it is another reminder that the Grand Strand is more than a seasonal destination. It is a growing coastal community where people increasingly want to live, work, invest and spend time with family.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in the Myrtle Beach Area?
Whether you are considering a primary residence, second home, vacation-rental property or the sale of an existing property, I would be glad to help you evaluate the market and make a well-informed decision.
Dan Sine, Realtor
Dunes Realty Sales
(843) 455-6319
DanSineRealtor.com
Read the original Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative announcement