A Travel Price Comparison for South Carolina Charleston vs. Myrtle Beach for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Myrtle Beach, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Charleston

Charleston is a quaint, historic, and classic coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a high energy, party-filled, and busy beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and beaches.

Charleston and Myrtle Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charleston. Although Charleston and Myrtle Beach are popular destinations, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its museums, food, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Myrtle Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife and big city activities. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Charleston and is known for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. Charleston is famous for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park.

How is Charleston different from Myrtle Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Charleston is very good for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charleston. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Charleston or Myrtle Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charleston is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Charleston has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Nightlife?

Myrtle Beach is an amazing beach city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

Myrtle Beach has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Music?

Charleston is very good for its music scene. However, Myrtle Beach is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Myrtle Beach is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Resorts?

Charleston is very good for its resorts. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its luxury resorts.

Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Beaches?

Both Charleston and Myrtle Beach have excellent beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Charleston. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

The beaches at Myrtle Beach attract visitors from all over. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Myrtle Beach does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Charleston is revered around the world. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

Myrtle Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Charleston is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.

Charleston is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Christmas?

Charleston is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Myrtle Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Charleston. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.

Myrtle Beach does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Christmas Markets?

Charleston is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Myrtle Beach does not offer Christmas markets.

Charleston offers some nice Christmas markets. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.

Myrtle Beach does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Families?

Charleston is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Charleston. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Couples?

Charleston is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Myrtle Beach is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Charleston has plenty to offer. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

Myrtle Beach is a nice destination for couples. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Students?

Myrtle Beach is notable for students. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Myrtle Beach is a great beach city to visit as a student. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.

Plenty of students visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charleston is a coastal town with a few options for its public transit. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

Public transit is quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.

Is Charleston or Myrtle Beach a more walkable city?

Charleston is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its walkability.

Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable coastal town. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.

For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Myrtle Beach or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Both Charleston and Myrtle Beach have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Charleston has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Charleston than Myrtle Beach. However, 2-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Charleston than Myrtle Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston than Myrtle Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Charleston.

One day in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

In Charleston, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this classic coastal town offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife around the party-filled beach city of Myrtle Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Charleston is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife around the destination of Myrtle Beach, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this beach city.

Five days in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

In Charleston, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this historic destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Myrtle Beach, a popular beach city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this beach city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Charleston is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Myrtle Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this beach city makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this beach city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Charleston and Myrtle Beach, we can see that Myrtle Beach is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Myrtle Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Charleston has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Myrtle Beach, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Charleston or Myrtle Beach?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charleston or Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during summer. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charleston usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charleston or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Myrtle Beach. The autumn months attract visitors to Charleston because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.

In the autumn, Charleston is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 65°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. In the autumn, Charleston often gets less sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets more rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

Both Myrtle Beach and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charleston this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during winter. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Charleston usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charleston or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

Both Myrtle Beach and Charleston during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the spring, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Myrtle Beach. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Charleston