Best In South Carolina Real Estate™: Grand Strand

Murrells Inlet leads South Carolina in gross rent disparity — its 1.4x top-to-median rent gap is the highest in the state, according to ALEX Intelligence’s latest data. This isn't just about pricing; it reveals a deepening divide between elite coastal enclaves and the broader rental market. The Grand Strand’s resilience may depend on this very imbalance — luxury demand stabilizes values, even as affordability pressures grow elsewhere. How does this split affect long-term investment strategy in the region? Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Slide 1: MacKenzi Martin mackenzimartin (CC0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=61841127; Slide 2: JefferyGoldman (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=51516869; Slide 3: Thomson M (CC BY 3.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=59083479; Slide 4: Farragutful (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=44451435 Intelligence — https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-19-grand-strand-spread-gross-rent-place Top-to-Median Gross Rent Gap, top 10 (ALEX Intelligence — U.S. Census Bureau 2024) #1 Murrells Inlet — $1,751 #2 Litchfield Beach — $1,704 #3 Carolina Forest — $1,668 #4 Little River — $1,528 #5 Garden City — $1,472 #6 North Myrtle Beach — $1,263 #7 Myrtle Beach — $1,261 #8 Socastee — $1,246 #9 Red Hill — $1,179 #10 Conway — $866 Source: https://alex-companies.com/data/2026-10-19-grand-strand-spread-gross-rent-place View and join any or all of our communities — AI, quantum, and real estate: https://alex-companies.com/reports/linkedin-groups If there's an AI, quantum, or real estate community you'd like to see us convene, tell us — this portfolio grows by request. Real Estate Strategy & Intelligence Leader. Democratized Blue Ocean Strategist & Operator. Diane Hart Alexander, MBA, MHA Chair & CEO, ALEX Companies Designated Broker, Alexander Tiffany Southwest, LLC dba ALEX.realestate, et.al. Texas License #574877-B · Broker License #565194-BB [email protected] · +1 713.591.9902