TL;DR: A budget of $250,000 to $350,000 still reaches detached homes, townhouses, and even direct oceanfront condos across the Grand Strand. What changes is what you get — square footage shrinks as you move closer to the ocean, and monthly carrying costs shift dramatically between property types. This band was the busiest price range in the region last year.
The Price Point Most Buyers Are Searching
The numbers explain why this range gets so much attention. According to CCAR MLS InfoSparks (June 2026), the median sales price across the entire MLS was $324,473 over the trailing twelve months, essentially flat at down 0.2 percent from the prior year. Median price per square foot held steady at $159. A $250,000 to $350,000 budget lands directly on the regional midpoint.
The 2025 CCAR Annual Report backs that up. The $250,001 to $350,000 band recorded 4,799 closed sales — more than any other price range in the region — though volume was down 3.6 percent from 2024. This is the center of gravity for the Grand Strand market.
What Myrtle Beach Homes Under $350,000 Actually Look Like
In the video below, our team walks through active listings in this price band from Longs down to Pawleys Island, comparing what the same budget buys in each area.
Three distinct paths open up at this budget:
Detached single-family homes, most plentiful in the inland and northern parts of Horry County
Oceanfront condominiums, typically efficiency units through two-bedroom layouts
Off-beach condos and townhouses, which usually deliver the most interior square footage per dollar
Each carries a different cost structure. A detached home in an inland subdivision often comes with a modest annual HOA assessment or none at all. An oceanfront condo can carry a monthly assessment that rivals a second mortgage payment. Same purchase price, very different monthly math.
The Same Budget in a Different ZIP Code
Location drives more of this equation than any other single factor. Areas farther from the shoreline post lower single-family medians, while beach-adjacent submarkets sit well above the $350,000 ceiling for detached homes.
Median Sales Price by Grand Strand Area — April 2026
| Area | Single-Family Median | Townhouse/Condo Median |
|---|---|---|
| Loris / Longs | $310,000 | $347,840 |
| Socastee | $364,000 | $167,500 |
| Surfside Beach | $387,500 | $176,000 |
| Myrtle Beach (29572, 29577) | $478,000 | $208,500 |
| Garden City / Murrells Inlet | $500,000 | $302,215 |
| Carolina Forest | $520,000 | $178,250 |
| North Myrtle Beach | $560,000 | $342,900 |
| Pawleys Island / Litchfield | $660,250 | $330,000 |
Source: CCAR MLS Local Market Update, April 2026. Medians reflect April closings only and can shift month to month in smaller submarkets.
Read the table sideways and the trade-off becomes clear. In Loris and Longs, the single-family median sits comfortably inside this budget. In North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, detached homes at this price point are the exception rather than the norm — but the condo median lands squarely inside the range.
Oceanfront Condos: The List Price Is Only Part of the Cost
Two oceanfront units can share the same asking price and cost very different amounts to own. The variable is the monthly assessment and what it covers.
Some buildings fold building insurance, HO-6 coverage, electricity, water, sewer, trash, and internet into one number. Others cover almost nothing beyond common-area maintenance. A lower published fee is not automatically the cheaper building once you add the line items back in.
Building age and construction type matter too. Concrete-and-steel high-rises carry elevator and structural maintenance costs that wood-framed low-rise buildings do not. Low-rise properties often post smaller assessments, but fewer owners share any major repair bill.
Supply also differs sharply by property type. Per CCAR MLS Monthly Indicators (April 2026), the region held 4.3 months of inventory for single-family homes versus 8.1 months for condos. Condo buyers generally have more to choose from and more room to compare.
Insurance, assessment, and reserve questions vary by association. Consult a licensed professional and review the governing documents for any specific building.
Off-Beach Condos and Townhomes: Space Versus Rental Rules
Move a few miles inland and the same money typically buys more interior square footage, a garage, and a smaller monthly assessment. That appeals to buyers who want low exterior maintenance without paying the oceanfront premium.
One caution applies here more than anywhere else. Short-term rental permission is not universal. Many off-oceanfront communities restrict or prohibit nightly rentals, and rules differ by association and by jurisdiction. City of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and unincorporated Horry County each regulate separately.
If rental income is part of the plan, confirm it in writing before going under contract. According to the NAR REALTORS® Confidence Index (February 2026), sales for non-primary residence use accounted for 16 percent of transactions nationally, with 5 percent intended for vacation use — a meaningful share of buyers for whom this question is decisive.
How Competitive Is This Price Band?
Activity in this range is steady rather than frantic. Per the CCAR MLS Housing Supply Overview (April 2026), pending sales in the $250,001 to $350,000 band totaled 4,888 over the trailing twelve months, up 4.6 percent year over year.
Timelines have lengthened. The same report shows properties in this band took a median of 133 days to sell, up 6.4 percent from a year earlier — 130 days for single-family homes and 140 days for condos.
Negotiation room exists but is narrower than many buyers assume. Sellers in this band received 97.7 percent of list price for single-family homes and 97.0 percent for condos (CCAR MLS, April 2026). That works out to roughly a 2 to 3 percent gap between asking and closing, not the deeper discount some expect.
Where to Start
The hardest part of shopping this range is not finding listings. It is deciding which trade-off matters most to you — square footage, proximity to the ocean, monthly carrying cost, or rental flexibility. Those four rarely align in the same property at this price point. If you want help sorting through which submarkets fit your priorities, or a straight answer on what a specific building's assessment actually covers, reach out to our team and we will walk through it with you.
FAQ SECTION
Can you still buy a single-family home in Myrtle Beach for under $350,000?
Yes, though location determines how easily. CCAR MLS Local Market Update data (April 2026) shows the single-family median at $310,000 in Loris/Longs and $364,000 in Socastee — both near or inside this budget. In the City of Myrtle Beach ZIP codes, the single-family median was $478,000, and in North Myrtle Beach it was $560,000. Detached homes under $350,000 do exist in those beach-adjacent areas, but they represent a smaller slice of what is listed and typically involve less square footage or an older build.
What does $250,000 to $350,000 buy on the oceanfront?
Generally an efficiency, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom condominium in an oceanfront building. Unit size varies widely at the same price point depending on the building, its age, and its position along the coastline. The bigger variable is the monthly assessment, which can range from modest to substantial based on what it includes. Two units listed at the same price can carry very different total monthly costs once insurance and utilities are accounted for.
Why do HOA fees vary so much between condo buildings?
Because associations bundle different services. Some assessments include building insurance, HO-6 coverage, electricity, water, sewer, trash, and internet. Others cover only common-area upkeep. A building with a higher published fee may be less expensive to own overall once you add back the items a lower-fee building leaves to the owner. Construction type also matters — elevators and structural systems in high-rise buildings carry maintenance costs that low-rise properties do not. Review the association's budget and reserve study, and consult a licensed professional about any specific property.
How much below list price do homes in this range typically sell for?
Less than many buyers expect. According to the CCAR MLS Housing Supply Overview (April 2026), sellers in the $250,001 to $350,000 band received 97.7 percent of list price for single-family homes and 97.0 percent for condominiums. That is roughly a 2 to 3 percent gap. Pricing and condition still drive outcomes on individual properties, and homes that sit longer generally close further below asking.
Can I use a property in this price range as a short-term rental?
Sometimes, but never assume it. Rental permission depends on both the association's governing documents and the local jurisdiction. City of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and unincorporated Horry County regulate short-term rentals separately, and many off-oceanfront communities restrict nightly rentals entirely. Confirm rental eligibility in writing before going under contract, and consult a licensed professional regarding current local requirements.
How long are homes in this price band taking to sell?
A median of 133 days as of April 2026, up 6.4 percent year over year, per the CCAR MLS Housing Supply Overview. Single-family homes in the band moved at 130 days and condominiums at 140 days. Longer market times generally give buyers more time to evaluate a property carefully rather than deciding under pressure.
