Mount Pleasant 71 Excellent
Mount Pleasant Livability #42 ranked city in South Carolina#5,928 ranked city in the USARanks better than 79% of areas

Mount Pleasant, SC - Southern Charm by the Coast

Living in Mount Pleasant, SC offers a perfect blend of coastal beauty and Southern hospitality. Known for its historic charm and modern amenities, Mount Pleasant is a thriving community just minutes from downtown Charleston. The Boone Hall Plantation, one of America’s oldest working plantations, offers a glimpse into the region’s rich history and is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike.

Mount Pleasant’s dining scene reflects the area’s coastal heritage, with fresh seafood and Southern cuisine at the forefront. Shem Creek is a local favorite, offering waterfront dining with stunning views of the marshes and shrimp boats. The annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival is a highlight, celebrating the local fishing industry with food, music, and family activities.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Mount Pleasant provides a wealth of recreational opportunities. The Palmetto Islands County Park offers trails, a waterpark, and picnic areas, making it a popular spot for families. The Mount Pleasant Pier provides fishing, scenic views, and is a great place to enjoy a coastal breeze. Nearby beaches, such as Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, are perfect for a day of sun and surf.

Mount Pleasant is also known for its excellent schools and family-friendly environment. The town’s Farmers Market is a community gathering spot, offering fresh produce, local goods, and live music. The annual Mount Pleasant Christmas Light Parade is a beloved tradition, lighting up the streets with festive displays and holiday cheer.

For those considering a move to South Carolina, Mount Pleasant offers a charming mix of history, coastal living, and community spirit. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, culinary scene, or Southern charm, living in Mount Pleasant, SC provides a warm and welcoming lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Mount Pleasant

PROS
  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

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What's it like Living in Mount Pleasant?

Mount Pleasant is a medium-sized city located in the state of South Carolina. The city has a population of 89,410 people. According to the most recent Census, 91% of Mount Pleasant residents are White, 4% Black and 2% Asian. Long travel times to work can be one of the most frustrating things in the world - right behind housework! If you decide that living in Mount Pleasant is the right fit for you, your one way commute time will average 24 minutes, which is about average when compared to the national commute time of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Mount Pleasant could be a positive experience compared to other cities in South Carolina if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Mount Pleasant and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, health & safety, education, employment, housing and other important metrics.

Mount Pleasant, SC receives 71 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #37 in South Carolina and #5,477 in the USA. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Mount Pleasant ranks well for crime (A+), education (A+) and housing (A) Unfortunately for Mount Pleasant, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Low violent crime rates (murder, rape, robbery, assault) provide a safer environment for residents, reducing the risk of personal harm, property theft or violence. Low crime can also lead to increased property values and desirability. With 127 crimes per 100,000 residents, Mount Pleasant has a violent crime rate that is far below the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Mount Pleasant has an unemployment rate of 1.44% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Test scores can be a good way to measure a school's academic performance and the proficiency of its students. They can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Mount Pleasant have an average test score of 78%, which is well above the US average.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Mount Pleasant market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Mount Pleasant is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Mount Pleasant come in at $472,900, which is 229.3% higher than the South Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Mount Pleasant, the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 45.2% higher than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Mount Pleasant

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Compare Mount Pleasant, SC Livability

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      Mount Pleasant transportation information

      Statistic Mount Pleasant South Carolina National
      Average one way commute24min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.4%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.0%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.8%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home13.0%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Mount Pleasant, SC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).