9 Best Places To Call Home In South Carolina In 2025

Small-town charm, natural beauty, and rich community life are drawing in many new residents to South Carolina. The beaches of the Atlantic coast and big cities like Charleston and Columbia might attract some, but the small towns in South Carolina offer proximity to those highlights without the high price tags. In 2025, the combination of affordability, opportunity, and quality of life continues to flourish in the Palmetto State. If you are looking for a place to live where tradition meets possibilities, South Carolina might have a town that is the right fit for you.

Aiken

Aiken, located around 20 miles from Augusta, Georgia, is an affordable and family-friendly community. The town features a variety of neighborhoods for its roughly 32,000 residents, with median home values averaging around $367,000. Local public schools feature specialized programs and dual-enrollment opportunities with USC Aiken, so students can have early college options. Health care is served by Aiken Regional Medical Centers, a full-service hospital with emergency and specialty care. For those who love horses, Hitchcock Woods’ miles of equestrian trails are an excellent place to spend free time. Hopelands Gardens is another beautiful green space for residents to explore. While you are there, stop by the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame to learn about the history of this sport.

Conway

Situated just 15 miles from Myrtle Beach and the Atlantic Coast, Conway is a fantastic town to call home. Considering its proximity to the coast, Conway's housing remains relatively affordable. The median home value is roughly $289,000. When it comes to work, the job base is diversified across education, health care, county government, and light manufacturing, which provides ample opportunities for residents who prefer not to commute too far. In their leisure time, residents stroll along the Waccamaw River, dine at one of the many restaurants downtown, and spend time at Riverfront Park. Notable landmarks include City Hall, which was designed by Robert Mills, as well as the campus of Coastal Carolina University. Not only is the university a major local employer, but it also injects arts, sports, and youthful energy into Conway.

Gaffney

Proudly known as the “Peach Capital of the State,” Gaffney offers an affordable lifestyle filled with community, culture, and convenience. Housing costs remain below the state average, with median values around $201,000, making both ownership within reach for many residents. For medical care, the Cherokee Medical Center and a branch of the Gibbs Cancer Center are both located in Gaffney. Outdoor amenities include Irene Ball Park and Thompson Park. The town also comes together to celebrate the Peach Festival each year, as well as regular community events, such as the spring vendor market.

Bennettsville

Bennettsville is an inviting small town that offers comfort and a slow pace of life. Families benefit from the Marlboro County public schools, which serve students in grades K-12, as well as local adult-education programs that support lifelong learning. Housing is very affordable for first-time buyers and long-time residents, with median listing prices at roughly $169,000. For medical care, residents do not need to go too far; multiple primary-care clinics and regional providers, such as the CareSouth Children’s Hospital, are conveniently located in town. The walkable Historic Courthouse District is a great place for photo opportunities of stunning local architecture, and Lake Wallace is the perfect location for a serene stroll. Golf enthusiasts in the area can hit a round at the Marlboro Country Club, too.

Union

Union, located in the north-west corner of the state, is a fantastic place to settle down. With average home values at approximately $213,000, homeownership is feasible for many residents. Along with local public schools, higher education is offered locally through the University of South Carolina Union, a satellite campus providing opportunities to earn an associate degree without leaving town. Union has also added more support when it comes to medical access for residents. Newly built in 2025, Union Medical Center offers hospital-level emergency care, cancer, imaging, primary, and specialty services. A walk through the Piedmont Physic Botanical Garden or feeding the geese at the lake in Foster Park are a couple of ways residents can enjoy the beauty of nature in town. Eateries like Fat Sam’s and Dairi-O are beloved by locals and offer a true taste of southern living.

Laurens

Tucked away in the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley metropolitan area, Laurens has an affordable community that residents in all stages of life can enjoy. Housing is attainable for many locals, with median housing values around $287,000. Paired with the diverse job market and major employers, including CeramTec, Sterilite, and Prisma Health, the standard of living in Laurens is quite comfortable. For recreation, Lake Rabon Park provides scenic spots for boating, fishing, picnicking, walking, and general outdoor relaxation just outside the city. In town, Laurens also supports a vibrant local art scene in the walkable downtown square. Artist’s Co-Op art gallery, The Roseland Lounge, and the Laurens County Museum are all places locals and visitors can go to experience the culture of Laurens.

Newberry

Being just a half an hour away by car from Columbia, Newberry is a captivating small city with convenient access to city life. Families appreciate that the School District of Newberry County offers comprehensive K-12 education and a modern career center providing students with solid educational opportunities. When it comes to economics, Newberry is an attractive option for many prospective residents. The median home value is roughly $165,000, and the local economy is supported by major employers in the area, such as Samsung, Kraft Heinz, Valmont, and Trane, which create many opportunities for local workers. Throughout the year, farmers' markets, Oktoberfest celebrations, and local art shows bring residents together, strengthening community ties. Along with the town’s multiple outdoor parks, the Wells Japanese Garden is a particularly peaceful place in Newberry to wander around the serene pond and beautiful flora. In addition, historic venues, including the Ritz Theatre and Newberry Opera House, are fun places to take in live performances.

Orangeburg

Life in Orangeburg is anchored in education and potential for growth. Employment opportunities in education, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture (combined with median home values of approximately $247,000) make Orangeburg an excellent place to put down roots. The town is home to two South Carolina State University and Claflin University, which bring youthful energy and cultural opportunities to this small town. As far as K-12 education goes, Orangeburg offers a diverse range of public, charter, and private schools, such as Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and Orangeburg Prep. At Edisto Memorial Gardens, residents can enjoy a 150-acre park featuring award-winning roses and wetlands trails. One of the Southeast’s top tourism events, the Festival of Roses, is hosted annually at the gardens, as well. Local history lovers appreciate the exhibits at the Cecil Williams Civil Rights Museum, and space enthusiasts can learn more at the I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium. For residents who like to travel frequently, the Orangeburg Municipal Airport is conveniently located near town.

Dillon

If you want a serene and affordable lifestyle, Dillon, located near Interstate 95 and the North Carolina border, should be a place you consider calling home. The town features both a residential and a commercial historic district, which lends a charming quality to this quiet part of South Carolina. The beautiful architecture of the Downtown Dillon Theater and Main Street Methodist Church dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As far as public facilities go, the City of Dillon Sports Complex features baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The cost of living is notably low, with median home values around $115,000, giving potential homeowners lots of buying power. Healthcare services are accessible through McLeod Dillon Medical, and the Dillon County Free Medical Clinic caters to low-income and uninsured residents. An Amtrak train station (a historic, but active building in the heart of Dillon) connects residents to New York City and Savannah, Georgia, and various stops in between.

From lively arts scenes to peaceful gardens and peach orchards, the Palmetto State proves that a high quality of life does not have to come with a high price tag. While each town in South Carolina exudes its own brand of charm, they all share some common threads: affordability, community, and opportunity. Thanks to these commonalities, people in all stages of life can put down roots and thrive. If you are considering a move this year, a small town in South Carolina may just be the perfect place to find the opportunities and lifestyle you want.