Best Cities for Families in South Carolina
South Carolina ranks #40 of 50 for families, with a families score of 55.8. Fort Mill is its best city for families at 71.4.
- South Carolina, all states
- #40 of 50
- Population
- 30,775
What Families Should Know About South Carolina
South Carolina ranks #40 out of 50 for families, placing it in the lower third of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in affordability (78/100) — but South Carolina's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around outdoor access and environment.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and South Carolina shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 83.8%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 50/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care costs $10,474 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. South Carolina faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 387.6 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 93.7, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Fort Mill | A+ | 71.4 | 71.0 | 68 | 100 | 61 | 30,775 |
| 2Greer | B+ | 62.0 | 61.5 | 50 | 83 | 75 | 41,536 |
| 3Bluffton | A | 60.9 | 63.6 | 68 | 98 | 51 | 33,157 |
| 4Mount Pleasant | A | 59.6 | 63.8 | 51 | 91 | 39 | 93,993 |
| 5Charleston | B+ | 57.2 | 59.8 | 58 | 77 | 55 | 154,338 |
| 6Greenville | C+ | 57.2 | 55.7 | 52 | 57 | 65 | 72,935 |
| 7Aiken | B | 57.1 | 56.0 | 57 | 54 | 76 | 32,521 |
| 8Rock Hill | C | 55.7 | 50.3 | 48 | 66 | 71 | 75,259 |
| 9Goose Creek | B | 54.3 | 57.2 | 46 | 82 | 64 | 48,078 |
| 10Columbia | C | 54.1 | 50.4 | 63 | 34 | 76 | 139,643 |
| 11Summerville | C+ | 52.9 | 52.7 | 54 | 73 | 65 | 51,654 |
| 12Conway | D | 52.5 | 48.5 | 53 | 74 | 80 | 27,263 |
| 13Anderson | D | 52.2 | 46.7 | 56 | 40 | 81 | 30,051 |
| 14Hilton Head Island | B | 50.4 | 55.9 | 71 | — | 52 | 37,911 |
| 15Florence | D | 50.0 | 45.8 | 58 | 34 | 85 | 40,408 |
| 16Sumter | D | 50.0 | 43.8 | 44 | 42 | 83 | 43,053 |
| 17North Charleston | C | 48.6 | 50.4 | 61 | 40 | 67 | 119,913 |
| 18Carolina Forest | D | 48.2 | 46.7 | — | — | 67 | 26,263 |
| 19Spartanburg | F | 46.4 | 40.1 | 61 | 5 | 81 | 38,910 |
| 20Myrtle Beach | F | 37.7 | 40.6 | 46 | 4 | 70 | 38,371 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: South Carolina for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Carolina a good state for families?
South Carolina ranks #40 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 55.8/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (78/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (9/100).
What is the best city for families in South Carolina?
Fort Mill ranks #1 in South Carolina for families with a score of 71.4/100, followed by Greer and Bluffton.
What factors are most important for families in South Carolina?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.