Buyer ResourcesMarket TrendsMyrtle Beach Real EstateHorry County Housing
May 12, 2026

TL;DR: Myrtle Beach home prices in 2026 are not moving in one direction — the single-family and condo markets are telling two very different stories. Buyers who understand the split, the inventory data, and the current rate environment are finding more options than they expected.

 

The Number Everyone Cites — and Why It Doesn't Tell the Full Story

Ask someone what homes cost in Myrtle Beach and you'll get a confident answer. Ask two people and you'll get two different numbers. That's not confusion — it's the market.

The Myrtle Beach SC median home price in 2026 depends entirely on property type, and the gap between those types is wider than most buyers realize. According to the Coastal Carolinas Association of REALTORS® MLS (March 2026), the median sales price for a single-family home in Myrtle Beach (ZIP codes 29572 and 29577) was $550,000 in March 2026 — down 2.2% from $562,450 in March 2025.

At the same time, the median price for a townhouse or condo in the same area was $205,000 — down 8.1% from $223,000 the prior year.

Two property types in the same zip code. Two completely different price trajectories. If a buyer is comparing a single-family home against a condo community, they're navigating two separate markets with different supply conditions and different buyer pools. That distinction is not a footnote. It's the most important context any buyer can have before starting a search.

 

What's Actually Happening Across the Grand Strand

Zooming out to the broader Coastal Carolinas market gives a clearer picture of where prices have settled — and how values vary by submarket.

According to the 2025 Annual Report on the Coastal Carolinas Housing Market (CCAR MLS, January 2026), the regional median sales price for single-family homes reached $365,000 in 2025, up 1.4% from $360,000 in 2024. Condo values moved in the opposite direction, falling 3.7% to $238,825. The Horry County overall median held at $310,000 — unchanged from 2024.

Across the Grand Strand, price performance varied significantly by submarket in 2025:

Area Median Sales Price Comparison — Single-Family Homes

Area 2024 Median 2025 Median One-Year Change
Myrtle Beach $274,500 $260,000 - 5.3%
North Myrtle Beach $410,000 $407,950 - 0.5%
Carolina Forest $385,150 $398,944 + 3.6%
Garden City / Murrells Inlet $375,000 $390,000 + 4.0%
Horry County (overall) $310,000 $310,000 0.0%

Source: 2025 Annual Report on the Coastal Carolinas Housing Market, CCAR MLS (January 2026)

The Myrtle Beach city figure ($260,000) sits notably below North Myrtle Beach ($407,950) or Carolina Forest ($398,944). Part of that gap reflects the heavy concentration of condo inventory in Myrtle Beach's core ZIP codes — 73.3% of all sales in Myrtle Beach were condo properties in 2025, the highest share of any submarket in the region, per CCAR MLS (January 2026).

 

Inventory, Days on Market, and What Buyers Actually Have to Work With

Price is only one variable. How long homes are sitting and how much supply buyers have to choose from shapes every negotiation.

According to CCAR MLS Monthly Indicators (March 2026), the Coastal Carolinas market had 3,876 single-family homes for sale as of March 2026 — essentially flat year-over-year at +0.4%. Condo inventory climbed more sharply, reaching 3,388 units, a 9.6% year-over-year increase.

The months supply of inventory reinforces the split. As of March 2026, single-family supply stood at 4.2 months — still in seller's market territory by most measures. Condo supply reached 8.2 months, up 9.3% year-over-year, crossing into territory that gives buyers a meaningful advantage in negotiations.

Days on market have climbed across the board. According to CCAR MLS (March 2026):

  • Single-family homes averaged 124 days on market region-wide, up 1.6% year-over-year.

  • Condos averaged 133 days, up 13.7%.

  • In Myrtle Beach specifically, single-family homes spent 144 days on market in March 2026, up 13.4% from the prior year.

Longer days on market mean sellers are more likely to entertain price adjustments or concessions. Buyers who arrive prepared — pre-approved, clear on their criteria, and working from current data — are in a stronger position than the headline numbers alone suggest.

 

Rates, Financing, and What Buyers Are Bringing to the Table

Mortgage rates are a central part of any affordability calculation, and current data shows they have eased meaningfully from their recent peaks.

According to FRED Economic Data (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, week ending May 7, 2026), the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.37% — down from highs above 7% seen in late 2024, and continuing a gradual drift lower from the 6.46% recorded at the start of April 2026. Rates and programs are subject to change; buyers should verify current figures with a licensed mortgage professional.

That rate environment is shaping how buyers finance purchases. According to the NAR 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the national median down payment reached 19% for all buyers in 2025 — 10% for first-time buyers and 23% for repeat buyers, the highest for both groups in decades. Twenty-six percent of all buyers paid cash, an all-time high. First-time buyers most often used personal savings (59%) to fund their down payment, while repeat buyers frequently applied proceeds from a prior home sale (54%).

Nationally, first-time buyers now make up just 21% of all purchasers — a historic low — with the median age of a first-time buyer now at 40. The affordability squeeze that is compressing the first-time buyer pool nationally is also reflected locally. According to CCAR MLS Monthly Indicators (March 2026), the regional Housing Affordability Index for single-family homes stood at 84 in March 2026 — meaning the median household income covers roughly 84% of what is needed to qualify for a median-priced single-family home at current rates. A Myrtle Beach city-level affordability index is not separately reported in available MLS data. The condo affordability index of 134 reflects the significantly lower price point of that segment.

Locally, buyer activity showed notable momentum in early 2026. Closed sales for single-family homes in Myrtle Beach rose 35.7% in March 2026 compared to March 2025, per CCAR MLS. Sellers received 97.5% of list price on single-family transactions — indicating correctly priced properties are still moving with strength. Total showings in the Myrtle Beach market reached 8,262 in March 2026, an 8.6% year-over-year increase, per the CCAR MLS Showings Report (March 2026), with buyer interest per listing up 16.5% over the same period.

 

If you're trying to get a clear picture of what a home purchase in Myrtle Beach actually looks like in 2026 — what you'd pay, what inventory you'd compete for, and what a current rate means for your monthly payment — the data above is a solid foundation. But local conditions shift month to month, and the right approach depends on the specific price range and property type you're evaluating. The team at Carolina Crafted Homes tracks CCAR MLS data as it's released and works with buyers across the Grand Strand. If you want to talk through current pricing in a specific area or work through what today's numbers mean for your situation, get in touch — no pressure, just a straight conversation.

 

FAQ SECTION

What is the median home price in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2026?

It depends on property type. For single-family homes in Myrtle Beach (ZIP codes 29572 and 29577), the median sales price was $550,000 in March 2026 — down 2.2% year-over-year, according to CCAR MLS (March 2026). For townhouses and condos in the same area, the median was $205,000, down 8.1% year-over-year. These figures reflect a market where property type matters as much as location. Buyers evaluating their options should compare within the right category for an accurate picture.

Are Myrtle Beach home prices going up or down in 2026?

Current data shows a mixed picture depending on property type and submarket. The Coastal Carolinas regional median for single-family homes reached $365,000 in 2025, up 1.4% year-over-year, according to CCAR MLS (January 2026). Condo values declined 3.7% to $238,825 over the same period. In early 2026, both segments in Myrtle Beach proper showed modest year-over-year softening, while submarkets like Carolina Forest and Garden City / Murrells Inlet held or gained ground. Price direction is not uniform across the Grand Strand.

What are mortgage rates in Myrtle Beach right now?

Mortgage rates are set at the national level and apply broadly regardless of location. According to FRED Economic Data (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, week ending May 7, 2026), the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaged 6.37% — down from peaks above 7% seen in late 2024. Rates have fluctuated in the 6%–6.5% range in early 2026. Rates and loan programs are subject to change; buyers should consult with a licensed mortgage professional to confirm current rates and determine what applies to their specific financial situation.

How long are homes sitting on the market in Myrtle Beach right now?

Homes are taking longer to sell than during the peak market years. According to CCAR MLS (March 2026), single-family homes in Myrtle Beach averaged 144 days on market in March 2026, up 13.4% from the same month in 2025. Condos averaged 145 days. Regionally, single-family homes averaged 124 days and condos averaged 133 days. More time on market can signal greater room for negotiation, particularly in the condo segment where supply has expanded significantly.

Is the Myrtle Beach condo market favorable for buyers in 2026?

Condo inventory in the Coastal Carolinas has grown meaningfully. According to CCAR MLS Monthly Indicators (March 2026), condo supply reached 8.2 months as of March 2026 — up 9.3% year-over-year. That level of supply generally shifts negotiating conditions in favor of buyers. Median condo prices in Myrtle Beach fell 8.1% year-over-year through March 2026. Buyers considering this segment have more choices and potentially more leverage than the post-pandemic market allowed.

How competitive is the Myrtle Beach single-family market in 2026?

The single-family segment remains active and relatively competitive despite softening prices. Sellers in Myrtle Beach received 97.5% of list price in March 2026, per CCAR MLS — indicating well-priced properties are selling close to asking. Closed sales rose 35.7% year-over-year that same month, and total buyer showings in the Myrtle Beach market rose 8.6% year-over-year per the CCAR MLS Showings Report (March 2026). Supply at 4.2 months region-wide still favors sellers in the single-family segment, though new listing volume has declined, constraining choices for buyers.

 

Sources

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