South Carolina's markets, tracked individually rather than as one state figure. 5 markets, 294 entries.
The Upstate isn’t just growing—it’s upgrading. Households moving in earn 15.9% more on average than those leaving, a trend that reflects a structural shift in economic quality, not just volume. This data, from ALEX Intelligence’s analysis of IRS migration flows (2022–23), shows the Upstate leading …
Where are the households leaving Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort County going? Not to the Upstate, not to Charleston, not to the Grand Strand — but to Chatham County, GA, the top destination for Lowcountry outflows in 2022–23. This isn’t a retreat.…
This is not a trend—it’s a structural advantage. The data reveals a self-sustaining migration loop: residents from inland SC move to the coast for lifestyle, employment, and affordability, reinforcing local demand and stabilizing the market. Unlike markets that depend on distant, volatile inflows, t…
As new workers enter the Midlands, housing demand is rising organically, not from speculation. This growth is fueling demand while preserving affordability, making Columbia a rare market that balances dynamism with stability. For real estate professionals: this is not a bubble.…
The tri-county area saw a 33.0% rise in households moving in between 2017-18 and 2022-23, outpacing every other U.S. county with comparable data. This isn’t a blip — it’s a structural shift.…
This isn’t a brain drain. It’s a strategic exodus to a high-opportunity hub. The data shows that the Upstate is functioning as a talent engine, producing professionals who move to higher-income markets to maximize their long-term potential.…
News & World Report Best Places to Live, 2026. Hilton Head’s migration is uniquely concentrated: only 17.6% of incoming households come from the top three sending counties, according to ALEX Intelligence’s new analysis of IRS 2022–23 data. This isn’t just a demographic trend—it’s a structural adva…
This is not seasonal tourism. It’s a structural shift in household relocation, driven by high-income counties like Suffolk County, NY, and Wake County, NC. The data shows wealth is leading the move—while housing supply remains constrained.…
ZIP 29036 leads South Carolina with $113,986 median income—38% above the state average. This isn't just a number; it's a signal of where capital, talent, and long-term stability are concentrating. The real estate strategy must shift from chasing growth to engineering inclusion.…
Unlike markets driven by tourism or speculative development, Charleston’s job growth is anchored in healthcare, education, and public services—sectors that sustain demand through economic cycles. This data comes from ALEX Intelligence’s exclusive analysis of BLS metropolitan payroll data, published…
Anderson and Spartanburg are tied at the top of the Upstate’s labour force growth rankings — a rare double lead that reveals a deeper truth: the region is not just growing, it’s growing together. This synchronized expansion across two major counties signals a unified economic engine, not fragmented…
This is not a seasonal or speculative trend — it’s a structural migration shift from inland Georgia to a coastal South Carolina market. This data, drawn from ALEX Intelligence’s exclusive analysis of IRS migration flows (2021–22 to 2022–23), reveals that the Lowcountry is no longer just a destinati…
county. This isn't just migration; it's a signal of elite real estate arbitrage. The Grand Strand is no longer just a seasonal retreat — it’s becoming a permanent home for high-net-worth transplants seeking tax efficiency and coastal lifestyle.…
No ZIP code in the Midlands has crossed the $500K median home value threshold. This is not stagnation—it’s strategic affordability. Columbia’s housing market is growing, but without the exclusivity that often drives inequality.…
This isn’t speculative fever; it’s measured, sustainable appreciation backed by real transactions. The data comes directly from ALEX Intelligence’s official report: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-07-charleston-sc-hou-fhfa-hpi-growth-1y-msa How does Charleston’s pace compare to other marke…
The Upstate’s 3.3% year-over-year rise in households moving in is not just a number — it’s a signal of structural realignment. Mecklenburg County, NC, and Charleston County, SC, are sending more households than ever to the Upstate, suggesting a shift toward stability over saturation. This is not a p…
metros on 12-month growth in metropolitan payroll employment — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Hilton Head’s 0.2% payroll growth is among the weakest in the nation. What does this divergence mean?…
Metro Home Price Growth (5-Year) — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Despite its mid-tier national ranking, the Grand Strand’s 52.1% five-year home price growth reflects a uniquely resilient, non-speculative market. Unlike speculative hotspots, this appreciation is rooted in long-term demand from remote work…
White Knoll leads South Carolina’s most densely occupied homes, with 2.9 people per household—higher than any other city in the region. This isn’t just a demographic oddity; it’s a structural advantage. In a market with limited new supply, larger households per home increase per-unit economic effici…
Hollywood, SC, has the lowest median household income in the Charleston tri-county at $73,693 — a data point that defies conventional wisdom. Yet it sits at the heart of a region where real estate value is decoupling from income. This isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a signal of strategic investment …
ZIP 29601 in Anderson County saw 105.4% home value appreciation from 2019 to 2024 — the highest in the state. This isn’t just inflation; it’s a structural shift in where value is being created. The Upstate’s next frontier isn’t downtown — it’s the edges being redefined by infrastructure, industrial …
Laurel Bay, SC, has a median household income of $54,345 — the lowest in the Lowcountry, according to the 2024 American Community Survey. Yet it exists within the same Beaufort County that boasts Bluffton at $111,281 and Hilton Head Island at $94,657. This isn’t a paradox — it’s a deliberate, func…
This isn’t a lag — it’s a structural advantage. The Grand Strand remains the only major U.S. coastal market where no city has crossed the $500K median threshold, defying national trends.…
metros on five-year change in the metropolitan house price index — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Columbia’s 51.6% HPI growth isn’t a lag—it’s a sign of deep, durable strength. Unlike speculative markets, this appreciation is driven by real job growth in manufacturing and logistics, not speculation.…
What does it mean when over half of a region’s ZIP codes cross a $1,500 rent threshold? It’s not a trend—it’s a structural shift. This data from ALEX Intelligence reveals that affordability is no longer a regional issue, but a ZIP-code-level reality.…
The Upstate’s real estate ecosystem is not built on individual agents, but on a dense network of institutional firms. This is the foundation of sustainable growth, not speculative frenzy. How does this level of institutional depth compare to other South Carolina markets?…
This is the highest share in South Carolina. The data reveals a rare concentration of elite housing: only Hilton Head Island crosses the threshold, while Bluffton sits just below. The gap isn't accidental—it’s a signal of spatial exclusivity.…
It’s not stagnation—it’s structural maturity. This isn’t a flaw—it’s a strategic advantage. Stability reduces risk, supports affordability, and attracts long-term residents and investors seeking resilience.…
metros on commercial builders — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Columbia’s low commercial construction rank is not a sign of decline—it’s a strategic signal. While national leaders like New York and Dallas lead in builder count, Columbia is deploying construction with precision: favoring high-tech industr…
The Charleston tri-county’s fastest and slowest ZIP codes differ by 15.9% in home value appreciation since 2019—far steeper than any other region in the state. This isn’t just a data point; it’s a signal that growth is no longer uniform. ZIP 29450, the fastest, benefits from industrial access and …
What does $76,932 median household income really mean for real estate in Greenville County? It’s not just a number—it’s a filter shaping who can live here, what kind of homes get built, and where infrastructure investments are prioritized. This ranking, drawn from the U.S.…
on Construction Establishments — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC’s construction economy is not weak — it’s mature. metros.…
Construction Establishments — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. What does it mean that Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC ranks #120 among 925 U.S. metros for construction establishments?…
Columbia’s real estate market isn’t just active — it’s institutionally deep. While Los Angeles County leads the nation with 17,272 real estate establishments, the Midlands’ concentration relative to size reveals a uniquely mature ecosystem. This isn’t about scale; it’s about depth.…
This isn’t just a trend—it’s a structural shift. 99.2% of new large-scale apartment units are concentrated in Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, and Hanahan. The rest of the tri-county—including Hollywood and James Island—see little to no new supply.…
In a region where every city remains below the $500K median threshold, what does that say about growth, stability, and long-term value? This isn’t stagnation—it’s a rare structural moat. The Upstate is not chasing elite price points; it’s building inclusive, resilient wealth through infrastructure…
The data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, published today by ALEX Intelligence, shows that Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort account for nearly all of South Carolina’s million-dollar housing. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a structural reality.…
Garden City, South Carolina, is the only city in the Grand Strand with a median household income below $50,000 — $47,249, to be exact. This isn’t a weakness; it’s a structural advantage. While other coastal markets compete on luxury and exclusivity, Garden City’s affordability is building a resilie…
Columbia’s housing market isn’t just expensive—it’s deeply unequal. The top ZIP code in the region (29201) has a 7.9x home value-to-income ratio, nearly three times the Midlands median of 2.5x. This isn’t a citywide trend—it’s a ZIP code-level concentration of wealth that shapes who can live where…
Charleston’s top ZIP codes are now 4.3 times more valuable than the median—driven by coastal exclusivity and historic preservation. This isn’t just a price gap; it’s a market bifurcation. Top ZIP Codes by Home Value Spread in Charleston Tri-County (ALEX Intelligence — 2026) #1 ZIP 29451 <- this…
Owner Occupancy Rate — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Greenville County’s 68.9% owner occupancy rate is not a sign of failure—it’s a signal of transformation. In a region where new construction outpaces demand, homeownership is no longer the default path.…
Hilton Head’s priciest ZIP codes are 1.9 times the median home value—far above any other market in the state. This isn’t a bubble; it’s a structural reality. The top 10% of homes aren’t outliers—they are the benchmark.…
This is not just a price point; it’s a geographic concentration of wealth. The data comes from ALEX Intelligence’s new report: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-09-29-grand-strand-concentration-million-homes-place It reveals a market where location defines elite access, not just income. Is yo…
metros on median home value — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Columbia’s $232,400 median home value isn’t a flaw—it’s a strategic advantage. This ranking reveals a market that remains deeply accessible while outpacing national appreciation trends in owner-occupied homes.…
Hollywood, SC saw 86.7% home value appreciation over five years — the highest in the region. This isn’t just a housing boom; it’s a structural shift. The data, drawn from U.S.…
The data from today’s report reveals a stark divide: Five Forks leads with $2,178 in gross rent, nearly double the median. This isn’t just a cost-of-living story — it’s a structural imbalance in who gets access to opportunity. How does a region grow when its top tier is 2.0x the middle?…
on Owner Occupancy Rate — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal’s 76.1% owner occupancy rate—ranked #31 nationally—reveals a market where long-term residency, not speculation, defines the real estate fabric. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about community, continuity,…
What does a 1.4x gap between top and median home values really mean? In Litchfield Beach, it’s not just pricing—it’s a structural divide. The Grand Strand’s most exclusive city sits 40% above the regional median, creating a rare dual-tier market unlike any in South Carolina.…
ZIP 29160 saw 84.1% home value growth over five years, a sign not of speculation but of deep-rooted stability. This isn’t about national trends—it’s about local resilience. How does your market compare?…
Moncks Corner leads the Charleston tri-county with an average household size of 2.9—highest in the state. This isn’t just a number; it’s a signal of deep community cohesion, long-term residency, and stable housing demand. For real estate investors and developers, this data reveals a hidden competit…
What if the highest vacancy rate in the Upstate isn’t a sign of weakness, but of strategic strength? The 53.7% vacancy at Clemson University isn’t a market failure — it’s a reflection of a resilient, education-driven economy. This data from ALEX Intelligence reveals that vacancy in the Upstate is …
Hilton Head Island isn’t just a vacation destination—it’s a market engineered around time-limited access. With 25.2% of homes designated for seasonal use, it leads the state in a structural model that buffers against national softening. This isn’t about tourism—it’s about ownership identity.…
on Housing Vacancy Rate — ALEX Intelligence, 2026. 27.0% of homes in Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach are vacant—yet this isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strategic advantage.…
Lake Murray of Richland leads the Midlands with 12.0% of homes valued at $1 million or more—surpassing every other city in the state. This isn’t a bubble; it’s a structural indicator of wealth concentration, limited supply, and long-term stability. This data comes directly from ALEX Intelligence…
Hollywood, Charleston tri-county, now hosts 29.4% of residents aged 65 and older — the highest in the state. This isn’t a passing trend; it’s a foundational demographic shift reshaping housing demand, community planning, and long-term investment. As the U.S.…
In a national market where mortgage burdens are rising, Parker, SC stands apart: 57.3% of homes are fully paid off. This isn’t just a stat—it’s a signal of deep financial resilience, generational wealth, and community stability. While other markets chase new construction, the Upstate’s real streng…
Bluffton’s 83.4% owner occupancy rate isn’t just a number — it’s a strategic differentiator. While national markets see rising rentals and speculative turnover, Bluffton has built a self-sustaining community where long-term ownership is the norm. This stability buffers against volatility, sustains…
North Myrtle Beach’s 48.3% seasonal home rate is the highest in the Grand Strand, a data point from the latest ALEX Intelligence report. This isn't just about vacation homes—it’s a structural shift in how coastal real estate generates value. How does your strategy align with the seasonal economy—or …
What does 87.3% owner occupancy in Lugoff really mean for Columbia’s market? It’s not just a number—it’s a signal of deep-rooted stability. While national markets fluctuate, the Midlands’ ownership culture is a self-sustaining engine of resilience.…
Hollywood’s 10.8% vacancy rate isn’t a warning sign—it’s a strategic advantage. While national markets show signs of softening, Charleston’s market remains resilient, with vacancy acting as a natural buffer against price volatility. This isn’t distress; it’s design.…
