Thinking about moving to Conway, SC? Get honest, local intel on costs, neighborhoods, flood zones & more. The real guide to Conway. — Conway, SC

Moving to Conway SC: The Complete 2026 Guide

The coffee is hot, the river is dark and slow, and somewhere behind you a live oak — a genuinely ancient one, wide enough that two people holding hands can’t encircle it — is doing what Conway’s live oaks have done since before the American Revolution: standing its ground in the middle of a city street because the road was built around it. That’s Conway, South Carolina, in one image. A place that has been here long enough to have opinions about infrastructure.

Here’s the thing nobody’s writing about Conway: it’s not a hidden gem anymore. U.S. News & World Report ranked Conway the single most-searched city for relocation in the entire United States. Not Nashville. Not Austin. Not some sun-drenched Florida suburb with a Cheesecake Factory and a 45-minute commute. Conway — population roughly 31,900, county seat of Horry County, and home to Coastal Carolina University — is where America is quietly, decisively pointing. And yet if you Google “moving to Conway SC,” what you find is a pile of data aggregator pages that will tell you the cost of living index is 90.4 and then leave you completely alone with that number.

This guide is the one that actually answers your questions: what it costs to live here (in real dollars, not indices), which neighborhoods are worth your attention, what flood risk actually means for your home search, where the good coffee is, and whether Conway’s reputation as an affordable coastal alternative is the real deal or just marketing copy. It’s the last thing you’ll need to read before deciding.

Quick Answer: Should You Move to Conway, SC?

The short version, for people who have four minutes and a decision to make:

Conway is a genuinely compelling relocation destination for remote workers, pre-retirees, and families leaving high-cost markets. Median home prices sit near $288,000 — about $72,000 less than neighboring Myrtle Beach, and well below the U.S. median of around $420,000. The overall cost of living runs roughly 10% below the national average. You get a walkable, historically rich downtown, the beach 15 miles away, and a small-city pace that is genuinely different from the tourist-industrial complex of the Grand Strand.

The caveats are real: utilities — particularly summer electricity bills — run 16–21% above the national average, courtesy of South Carolina’s heat. Flood risk varies sharply by neighborhood and must be investigated before buying. Highway 501 traffic during peak beach season will make you question your life choices. And the job market, outside of education, healthcare, and hospitality, is limited — this place works best if you’re bringing income with you.

Net verdict: Yes, for the right person. Definitively.

Why So Many People Are Moving to Conway Right Now

The migration story here isn’t hype — it’s one of the most dramatic domestic relocation narratives in modern American geography.

Between 2023 and 2024, Horry County ranked 34th fastest-growing county in the United States, with 3.8% population growth. The Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metro area — Conway’s home base — ranked third in the entire country. South Carolina, as a state, recorded the fastest population growth of any state in the nation between July 2024 and July 2025, gaining nearly 80,000 residents. Conway’s annual growth rate currently runs at 3.64%, and population has grown 26.69% since the 2020 census — from 25,176 to an estimated 31,896 today.

Who is actually making these moves? The dominant sending states are Florida (where home insurance costs and summer heat have broken the social contract), California, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. They fall into three recognizable cohorts:

Remote workers (ages 30–50) who can earn a coastal-metro salary while paying inland South Carolina prices.
Pre-retirees and retirees (55+) who want beach proximity, mild winters, and South Carolina’s genuinely excellent retirement tax structure — without paying Myrtle Beach prices for the privilege.
Young families drawn by the relative affordability of a four-bedroom house and the presence of Coastal Carolina University as a community anchor.

Conway’s cost-of-living advantage versus the places these people are leaving is the gravitational core of all of this. Someone selling a $750,000 house in Fort Lauderdale and buying a $290,000 riverfront colonial in Conway’s historic district isn’t just cutting costs — they’re banking several hundred thousand dollars in equity arbitrage on a single transaction. Do that math a few thousand times a year and you understand the migration wave.

What Makes Conway Different from Myrtle Beach

The question you will ask — and that every new Conway resident eventually has to answer for visiting family — is: why not just live in Myrtle Beach? Here’s the answer Conway residents give, and they give it with the quiet confidence of people who have already decided: Myrtle Beach is where you go. Conway is where you live.

Myrtle Beach moves 20 million tourists a year through its corridors. The traffic, the noise, the themed restaurants, the golf cart rental shops — it’s a production. Conway, 15 miles inland, has the Waccamaw River, 39 historic buildings (17 on the National Register of Historic Places), a mile-long Riverwalk that was just expanded with a Phase 4 ribbon-cutting in February 2025, live oaks that predate the nation, Rivertown Bistro, a working glass studio, and a downtown that genuinely functions for the people who live in it. And the beach is still 15 miles away on a Tuesday when there are zero traffic cones between you and it.

Cost of Living in Conway SC: The Real Numbers

Indices are useful for data scientists. What you actually need are dollar amounts.

Conway’s overall cost of living index sits at approximately 90.4 against a U.S. baseline of 100, according to BestPlaces — meaning it’s roughly 9.6% below the national average. Salary.com’s 2026 estimate puts the gap at 14%. The real story is in the category breakdown.

Conway, SC Cost of Living: Category Comparison vs. U.S. Average (2025–2026)
Category	Conway vs. U.S. Average	What It Means in Practice
Housing	30–33% below average	Median home ~$288K vs. ~$420K nationally; median rent ~$1,100–$1,400/mo for a 2BR
Groceries	Roughly at average (–1% to +3%)	Publix, Walmart, and Aldi all present; no significant premium or discount
Utilities	16–21% above average	South Carolina summers are genuinely hot; budget $200–$350/mo for electricity in a standard home June–September
Transportation	7% below average	Gas prices below average; Conway is car-dependent outside the historic district
Healthcare	3–6% below average	Conway Medical Center is the primary facility; some specialist care requires Myrtle Beach travel
Overall	~10–14% below average	A household spending $6,000/month nationally would spend roughly $5,160–$5,400 in Conway

What Does Your Salary Actually Buy Here?

The question most relocation guides refuse to answer directly: can I actually live well in Conway on my income? Here are four honest scenarios based on current Conway data.

Salary-to-Lifestyle Scenarios in Conway, SC (2026)
Household Income	Housing Reality	Lifestyle Assessment
$50,000/year	Renting is manageable; buying is tight but possible with the SC Housing Finance Authority’s first-time buyer programs	Comfortable by local standards; tight if you’re carrying student debt or medical costs
$75,000/year	Comfortably buys a $250,000–$300,000 home with a standard 20% down payment	Good life. This is the sweet spot for Conway. Dining out, savings, beach days — all achievable.
$100,000/year	Broad access to the market; new construction and historic district properties within reach	Strong quality of life. The equivalent purchasing power of $130,000–$140,000 in Charlotte or $180,000+ in Miami.
$150,000+/year	Top end of the Conway market is yours; waterfront and historic properties available in the $400,000–$600,000 range	You will feel wealthy here in a way that is frankly disorienting if you’re coming from the Northeast or California.

South Carolina Tax Advantages Worth Knowing

South Carolina’s tax structure is one of Conway’s underappreciated selling points, especially for retirees. Social Security income is fully exempt from state income tax. Residents 65 and older receive an additional $15,000 retirement income deduction on pension, IRA, and 401(k) distributions. The state’s top income tax rate of 6.2% applies only to income above $17,330, meaning most middle-income residents pay well below that. Property taxes for primary residences benefit from South Carolina’s 4% owner-occupied assessment ratio — versus 6% for non-owner-occupied — which translates to significantly lower tax bills than the legal rate suggests. On a $288,000 home, annual property taxes for a primary resident typically run $1,200–$1,700 depending on municipal millage rates.

Best Neighborhoods in Conway SC

Conway is bigger than it looks on a map — and more varied than any single description captures.

The city sprawls across a complex geography shaped by the Waccamaw River, Highway 501, and decades of suburban expansion in every direction. Here’s the honest breakdown of what each area actually delivers.

Downtown Historic District: Character, Walkability, and the Good Restaurants

This is the Conway that shows up in photographs: oak-canopied streets, 19th-century storefronts, the Riverwalk, the Horry County Courthouse, and the kind of downtown that people from Charlotte and Atlanta pay a lot of money to live adjacent to. The historic district is walkable — genuinely walkable, not “walkable if you have a car” walkable — with Rivertown Bistro, Whitaker’s Bar and Grill, Hop N’ Wich, Conway Glass, and the Theatre of the Republic all accessible on foot.

Housing stock is older (many homes built pre-1960), which means character but also the potential for older electrical systems, no flood insurance exemptions, and the kind of maintenance surprises that make ownership an adventure. Median prices in the historic core run from around $200,000 for a fixer to $450,000+ for a fully renovated historic property. Flood zone status here varies significantly by block — some streets are in FEMA Zone X (no flood insurance required), others are in Zone AE (mandatory insurance, which adds $1,000–$3,500/year to carrying costs). Check the specific parcel before falling in love with the wraparound porch.

Highway 501 Corridor: New Construction, Modern Amenities, Suburban Feel

If the historic district is Conway’s soul, the Hwy 501 corridor is its engine. New construction communities — Rivertown Landing, Shaftesbury Meadows, Spring Oaks, and a growing number of Dream Finders and D.R. Horton developments — line the route toward Myrtle Beach. This is where Conway’s growth is physically happening: new-build single-family homes in the $280,000–$420,000 range, modern floor plans, HOAs, and the kinds of community amenities (pools, trails, playgrounds) that families with children tend to prioritize.

The trade-off is character: it looks like every other Sun Belt suburb, because it mostly is one. Commute to downtown Conway takes 10–15 minutes; commute to Myrtle Beach runs 20–30 minutes without tourist traffic. Most of these developments are in FEMA Zone X, which eliminates mandatory flood insurance — one of the significant practical advantages of newer construction over the historic district for buyers who want to minimize carrying costs.

Golf and Waterway Communities: Shaftesbury Meadows and Environs

For buyers prioritizing an active-adult or golf-oriented lifestyle, the communities clustered around the Intracoastal Waterway and the Conway/Myrtle Beach golf corridor offer a compelling alternative. Shaftesbury Meadows, River Hills, and similar developments provide waterway access, golf course frontage, and HOA-maintained common areas — at prices generally between $300,000 and $550,000 depending on the specific lot and view. These communities skew older demographically and are among the more popular destinations for retirees arriving from the Northeast. Commute times to downtown Conway run 15–25 minutes.

Neighborhood Quick-Reference Table

Conway SC Neighborhood Comparison Guide (2026)
Neighborhood	Typical Price Range	Flood Zone Risk	Best For	Watch Out For
Downtown Historic District	$200K–$450K+	Variable — check parcel	Walkability, character, cultural access	Older systems, flood zone complexity, limited parking
Hwy 501 Corridor / New Construction	$280K–$420K	Mostly Zone X (lower risk)	Families, modern amenities, low maintenance	Generic suburbia, HOA fees, summer 501 traffic
Golf / Waterway Communities	$300K–$550K	Mixed — Intracoastal proximity elevates risk	Active adults, retirees, golf access	Higher HOA fees, longer drive to downtown Conway
Rural / Hwy 90 Properties	$200K–$350K + acreage	Generally lower risk inland	Privacy, acreage, lower density	Car-dependent for everything; limited services nearby

For a deeper look at Conway’s neighborhoods and what each one actually feels like on a Tuesday afternoon, see our insider guide to local life in the region — we cover the neighborhoods that online data tools tend to flatten into indistinction.

Jobs and Economy in Conway SC

The honest answer to “can I find work here?” depends almost entirely on what you do.

Conway’s economy runs on three primary engines. Education leads: Coastal Carolina University employs approximately 2,900 faculty and staff, enrolls 10,811 undergraduate students, and generates 4,459 degrees annually according to DataUSA. Horry-Georgetown Technical College provides a second institutional anchor. Healthcare is the second pillar: Conway Medical Center is a major employer, and the broader Grand Strand Health system continues expanding. Hospitality and retail — driven by the Grand Strand’s 20-million-visitor-per-year tourism economy radiating from Myrtle Beach — constitutes the third, with accommodation and food services employing approximately 1,819 Conway residents and retail employing another 1,512.

Construction and real estate development is the fastest-growing sector, responding directly to the migration wave.

The frank assessment: if you’re a teacher, nurse, construction professional, hospitality manager, or remote worker, Conway has your life ready. If you’re a software engineer, financial analyst, attorney, or creative professional expecting a local market for your skills, you’re either working remotely or commuting to Myrtle Beach, Florence, or Columbia. That’s not a knock on Conway — it’s the honest geography of a smaller market in a high-growth phase.

Remote Work Infrastructure

For the growing cohort of remote workers, Conway’s practical infrastructure is adequate to good. HTC (Horry Telephone Cooperative) provides fiber internet service across significant portions of Conway and Horry County — this is a genuine differentiator versus many rural-adjacent markets where broadband remains spotty. The historic downtown has coffee shops with reliable WiFi. There are no dedicated coworking spaces in Conway proper as of early 2026 (the nearest are in Myrtle Beach), but the mix of home-office culture and coffee shop options is functional for most remote roles.

Schools and Healthcare in Conway SC

Horry County Schools

Conway’s public schools fall under Horry County Schools, a large district serving approximately 45,000 students across the county. Within Conway specifically, Movoto data shows 8 public schools with an average GreatSchools rating of 5 out of 10 — which is honestly about average for a district of this size and demographic complexity, and which the internet will tell you is “below average” without the context that GreatSchools ratings heavily correlate with income demographics rather than instructional quality. For families prioritizing academic outcomes, Conway Christian School is the primary private alternative, and CCU’s Scholars Academy provides a gifted-student pipeline for eligible K-12 students.

The practical advice for families: visit the specific schools serving your prospective address, talk to parents in the neighborhood, and don’t make relocation decisions solely based on aggregate GreatSchools ratings.

Healthcare Access

Conway Medical Center is a well-regarded community hospital offering emergency care, surgical services, women’s health, orthopedics, and a cancer treatment program. For most routine and acute care needs, it’s fully sufficient. Specialty care — certain oncology subspecialties, advanced cardiac procedures, major trauma — requires travel to Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand Medical Center or, for complex cases, MUSC in Charleston (approximately 90 minutes). This is the standard trade-off for any smaller metro and is manageable for most households. Retirees with complex ongoing medical needs should factor the specialty access question into their decision more carefully than younger families would need to.

Pros and Cons of Living in Conway SC

The honest assessment, because you deserve one before you sign anything.

Every relocation guide on the internet will tell you a place is great. That’s not useful. Here’s what Conway actually offers, and what it genuinely doesn’t.

The Real Pros

Affordability that’s still real. Median home prices near $288,000 with a cost-of-living index around 9–14% below the national average is not marketing copy — it’s verifiable data from Redfin, Rocket Homes, and the U.S. Census. People arriving from Miami, New York, or California will experience genuine purchasing power they haven’t felt in years.
The beach is 15 miles away. Not a metaphorical beach. The Atlantic Ocean, accessible via a 20-minute drive on a non-summer weekday. You don’t pay beach town prices to have beach access; you pay Conway prices and drive 20 minutes when you feel like salt water.
A downtown that’s actually a downtown. Conway’s historic district has restaurants, a working glass studio, live theater, a river walk with a phase-4 expansion completed in 2025, and a farmer’s market. It functions. It has a character that new-construction suburbs cannot replicate regardless of budget.
South Carolina’s tax structure. Full Social Security exemption, a $15,000 retirement income deduction for residents 65+, and property tax rates that — for primary residents — run significantly below what most Northeastern states charge. This is a meaningful quality-of-life factor, especially for retirees.
Growth momentum working in your favor as a buyer. The Myrtle Beach-Conway metro is the third fastest-growing in the country. Infrastructure investment, new services, and expanding commercial amenities follow population growth. Conway today is not Conway in five years — it’s going to have more of everything, and you’re buying before the full appreciation of that.
A genuine sense of community. Conway has local sports teams (the CCU Chanticleers), neighborhood events, a civic identity distinct from the tourist economy next door, and the kind of social fabric where local business owners know your name after three visits. That’s not nothing.

The Real Cons

Utilities will surprise you. South Carolina summers are legitimate. Humidity-amplified heat means your AC runs longer and harder than anywhere in the mid-Atlantic or New England. Budget 16–21% above what you’d spend nationally on utilities, with the sharpest spikes June through September. This is the single most common financial surprise new residents report.
Highway 501 in summer is a genuine problem. The primary corridor between Conway and Myrtle Beach carries 20 million tourists worth of traffic during peak season. If your life requires regular Myrtle Beach trips between Memorial Day and Labor Day, budget the time and the frustration.
The job market is limited outside of core sectors. If you need a local job in technology, law, finance, or creative industries, Conway does not have a robust market for your skills. This is a city for remote workers, educators, healthcare professionals, and people who work in the hospitality and services economy. Full stop.
Flood risk is not theoretical. Conway sits on the Waccamaw River. The city has experienced significant flooding during major hurricane events — most memorably during Hurricane Florence in 2018, when flood waters were historically high. Flood risk by neighborhood is genuinely variable and genuinely consequential for insurance costs and peace of mind. It’s not a reason not to move here; it’s a reason to be informed before you buy.
Limited public transit. Conway is car-dependent except in the compact historic district. There is no meaningful public transit network for the broader city. If you don’t drive or are planning to reduce your car dependence, Conway’s infrastructure doesn’t support that goal yet.
The poverty rate is high. At approximately 21%, Conway’s poverty rate exceeds both the state average of 14.1% and the national average. This is reflected in some infrastructure gaps, school funding dynamics, and the economic heterogeneity you’ll see within the city. It’s part of Conway’s honest picture and worth understanding rather than discovering.

What to Know Before You Go: Flood Zones, Traffic, and Summer Heat

The section other relocation guides skip. We don’t.

Conway SC Flood Zones: The Non-Negotiable Homework

“What’s the flood situation?” is the first question a knowledgeable Conway real estate agent hears from any serious buyer. It’s the right first question.

Conway’s location on the Waccamaw River means flood risk is real, geographically variable, and directly consequential for your homeownership costs. The FEMA National Flood Insurance Program maps classify properties into several key zones:

Zone X (unshaded): Minimal flood risk. No flood insurance required by lenders. The majority of Conway’s newer suburban developments, particularly along the Hwy 501 corridor, fall in this zone.
Zone AE: High-risk flood area. Flood insurance is required by virtually all mortgage lenders. Annual premiums typically run $1,000–$3,500 for a standard single-family home in Conway, depending on the property’s elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Parts of the historic district and river-adjacent properties fall here.
Zone A (without “E”): High-risk, but without a detailed BFE calculation. Similar lender requirements to AE, but flood insurance pricing may be less predictable.

The practical instruction: before you make an offer on any Conway property, look up the specific parcel on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. This takes approximately three minutes and will either validate your enthusiasm or save you several thousand dollars a year in insurance costs you didn’t budget for. Do not skip this step.

Historical context matters here: Hurricane Florence (2018) produced record-breaking flood levels on the Waccamaw River, inundating portions of Conway that had not flooded in living memory. The city has invested in flood mitigation infrastructure since then, but the river is still the river. Properties in Zone AE near the historic core are beautiful — they are also priced to account for flood insurance costs, or they should be.

Summer Heat and Humidity: The Real Deal

South Carolina’s coastal plain summer is hot in a way that requires both description and respect. Conway averages 92–95°F high temperatures in July and August, but the humidity — routinely 75–90% in peak summer — pushes the feels-like temperature into the 100–110°F range on bad days. This is not Phoenix dry heat. This is standing-inside-a-dishwasher heat. New residents from the upper Midwest, the Pacific Coast, or New England universally report that their first Conway August rearranges their understanding of what summer means.

The mitigation: you will spend June through September living between air-conditioned spaces, the same way South Carolinians have adapted for generations. Winter, in contrast, is mild and genuinely pleasant — lows rarely dip below 35°F, and the shoulder seasons (March–May and October–November) are objectively excellent. If you’re a cold-weather-hater who has been paying Northeast prices for the privilege of suffering through February, you’ll find Conway’s climate is the rest of the deal.

Conway Relocation Checklist

✅ Research FEMA flood zone status for any property you’re considering (msc.fema.gov)
✅ Get flood insurance quotes before closing — not after — so there are no surprises
✅ Verify internet provider coverage at your specific address (HTC fiber vs. alternatives)
✅ Confirm school zone assignment for your chosen address via Horry County Schools
✅ Budget for summer electricity costs: add 16–21% to whatever you currently spend on utilities
✅ Make a test commute on Highway 501 during a summer weekend before committing to a location that requires it daily
✅ Visit downtown Conway on a weekday evening, not just a weekend afternoon — that’s the city’s real character
✅ Apply for the 4% owner-occupied property tax assessment (primary residence) within 90 days of closing
✅ Check with the SC Housing Finance Authority if you’re a first-time buyer — there are meaningful assistance programs available
✅ Register your vehicle in South Carolina and update your driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency

Conway SC vs. Myrtle Beach: Head-to-Head

Conway SC vs. Myrtle Beach SC: Key Comparison Factors (2026)
Factor	Conway SC	Myrtle Beach SC
Median Home Price	~$288,000	~$360,000+
Vibe	Historic river town; resident-first	Tourist-driven; high energy year-round
Beach Access	15–20 minutes by car	Walkable or 5–10 minutes
Traffic	Moderate; summer 501 congestion	Heavy year-round; severe in summer
Downtown Character	Walkable, historic, local-owned	Tourist commercial strip dominated
Cost of Living Overall	~10–14% below U.S. average	Closer to national average; higher tourist premium on services
School Ratings	Average (GreatSchools 5/10 avg)	Similar district; comparable ratings
Best For	Families, remote workers, retirees wanting authenticity	Retirees prioritizing beach proximity above all; hospitality workers

The one-sentence verdict: if you can drive 15 minutes to get your toes in the Atlantic and you’d rather not pay to live on the carnival, Conway wins the economic argument decisively. If you genuinely require sunrise-from-your-balcony beach access as a non-negotiable, Myrtle Beach is your answer and you’ll pay accordingly.

For more on how Conway fits into the broader AmeriCurious framework for evaluating American cities worth caring about, start with our deeper dives into what makes specific places worth relocating to — we don’t believe any city should be summarized in a data table without someone having actually stood on its streets first.

Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to Conway SC

Is Conway SC a good place to live?

Yes, for the right person. Conway offers genuine affordability (median homes near $288,000), a walkable historic downtown, beach access 15 miles away, and South Carolina’s favorable tax structure. It’s best suited for remote workers, retirees, and families. The job market is limited outside education, healthcare, and hospitality, so bringing your income with you is the dominant success pattern here.

What is the cost of living in Conway SC?

Conway’s overall cost of living is roughly 10–14% below the U.S. national average. Housing is 30–33% below average — the dominant driver. Utilities run 16–21% above average due to South Carolina’s hot summers. Groceries are approximately at the national average. A single person can live comfortably on $2,100–$2,400/month; a family of four should budget $4,700–$5,200/month for a solid quality of life.

Is Conway SC a safe place to live?

Conway’s crime statistics show variation by area, consistent with most smaller American cities. The historic downtown and newer suburban developments along the Hwy 501 corridor are generally considered safe by residents. As with any city, neighborhood-level research matters more than city-wide averages. Horry County Sheriff’s Office crime data is publicly available and worth reviewing for any specific address or neighborhood you’re evaluating.

Does Conway SC flood?

Yes, parts of Conway do flood — this is not a rumor. The city sits on the Waccamaw River, and Hurricane Florence (2018) produced record flooding. However, flood risk varies dramatically by neighborhood. Many newer developments along the Hwy 501 corridor are in FEMA Zone X with minimal flood risk. Always check the specific parcel at msc.fema.gov before buying, and get flood insurance quotes before closing if the property is in Zone AE or A.

How far is Conway SC from the beach?

Conway is approximately 15 miles from the nearest Atlantic Ocean beach access points, with Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach reachable in about 20 minutes on non-peak-traffic days. Myrtle Beach proper is approximately 15 miles via Hwy 501. In summer, add 15–30 minutes to any estimate that involves Hwy 501 on a weekend.

What are the best neighborhoods in Conway SC?

The downtown Historic District offers walkability, character, and cultural access — older housing stock with variable flood zone status. The Hwy 501 corridor has abundant new construction in the $280,000–$420,000 range, mostly in lower flood-risk zones, with suburban amenities. Golf and waterway communities (Shaftesbury Meadows et al.) suit active adults and retirees. Rural Hwy 90 properties offer acreage and privacy at lower prices with less flood risk.

What is the job market like in Conway SC?

Strong for educators, healthcare workers, construction professionals, and hospitality industry workers. Coastal Carolina University (2,900 employees) and Conway Medical Center are the two largest employers. Remote workers report the market works well — internet infrastructure is adequate, and the cost savings on housing are substantial. The local market for tech, law, finance, and creative roles is limited; most professionals in those fields work remotely or commute to Myrtle Beach.

Is Conway SC good for retirees?

Very much so, with qualifications. South Carolina fully exempts Social Security from state income tax and offers a $15,000 retirement income deduction for residents 65+. Property taxes for primary residents are significantly lower than most Northern states. Conway Medical Center provides solid primary and specialty care. The beach, golf, the Riverwalk, and CCU’s community programming provide active lifestyle options. Complex specialty medical needs may require Myrtle Beach or Charleston travel.

How is the weather in Conway SC?

Mild winters (lows rarely below 35°F), genuinely excellent spring and fall, and hot-humid summers that will recalibrate your definition of hot. July and August high temperatures average 92–95°F with humidity that pushes the feels-like temperature significantly higher. Budget for high summer electricity bills. The trade: you don’t own a snow shovel and you’re using it in February.

What should I know about Conway SC real estate before buying?

Median home price is approximately $288,000 as of late 2025 (Redfin data). Homes are averaging 107–120 days on market — this is a buyer’s market; negotiation room exists. Always check FEMA flood zone status for any parcel before making an offer. New construction in the $280,000–$420,000 range is abundant and often comes with builder incentives. Apply for the 4% owner-occupied property tax assessment within 90 days of closing as a primary resident.

What are the best things to do in Conway SC?

The Riverwalk (recently expanded with a Phase 4 completion in February 2025) along the Waccamaw River is the anchor. Downtown dining — Rivertown Bistro, Whitaker’s, Hop N’ Wich — is genuinely good. Conway Glass is a working artisan studio. The Theatre of the Republic runs live productions. The Horry County Museum tells the region’s history well. Annual events include Riverfest, the Christmas Boat Parade, and the Conway Ghost Walk. And the beach, which is 15 miles away and will never stop being relevant.

How do I register to vote and get a South Carolina driver’s license after moving to Conway?

South Carolina requires you to obtain a state driver’s license and register your vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency. Visit a South Carolina DMV office with proof of residency, your current license, and your vehicle title and insurance. Voter registration can be completed online at scvotes.gov or at the DMV when obtaining your license.

The Bottom Line on Moving to Conway SC

Conway, South Carolina doesn’t need a sales pitch. The data makes the case: it’s the most-searched relocation city in America, part of the third fastest-growing metro in the country, with median home prices roughly $130,000 below the national average, beach access 15 miles away, and a walkable historic downtown that would make many larger cities jealous. If you’re carrying a remote salary from a high-cost market and you’re wondering why you’re paying $3,200 a month for rent in a place where you don’t even like the weather, Conway has a fairly compelling counter-offer.

The honest version, because that’s what AmeriCurious is for: Conway works best when you go in with clear eyes. Check the flood zone on any property before you fall in love with the porch. Budget for summer electricity bills. Accept that Highway 501 in July is a test of character. Understand that the local job market has defined lanes. And then — if you’ve done that homework and it still makes sense — come find out what it’s like to live somewhere with a river running through it, live oaks growing out of the sidewalk, and a morning that doesn’t cost you anything to enjoy.

The people who moved here two years ago are not, by and large, moving back. That tends to mean something.

Ready to explore more? AmeriCurious covers the real stories of American cities — not the brochure versions. Start there and work your way toward the place that actually fits your life.

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