Myrtle Beach has once again earned national recognition as one of America's most desirable places to live and visit, ranking No. 5 among the nation's Best Small Cities in the newly released 2026 America's Best Cities Report by Resonance Consultancy. The Myrtle Beach metropolitan area also ranked No. 55 overall among all 393 metropolitan areas evaluated across the United States.
Myrtle Beach ranked among the top small cities of Savannah, Boulder, Asheville and Ann Arbor, while ranking No. 2 for lovability and No. 7 for livability. The report specifically cites Myrtle Beach as a prime example of a community that has invested consistently in creating a strong sense of place that attracts both residents and visitors.
Using a combination of performance data and national perception surveys, lovability is measured through factors such as restaurants, arts and entertainment, nightlife, outdoor experiences, attractions, social media engagement and overall visitor appeal. Livability evaluates quality-of-life indicators like access to green space, climate, housing affordability, healthcare, broadband connectivity and other factors.
“The city’s placement among the nation’s top small cities reinforces our one-of-a-kind amenities and experiences that make it beloved by so many,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative, which includes the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Myrtle Beach and Partnership Grand Strand. “Through various community initiatives, we continue to look at data like this to measure our successes while finding areas where our MSA can make improvements."
The report also identifies Horry County as one of the nation’s fastest-growing destinations for new residents, which contributes to stronger local economies over time.
For more information, visit worldsbestcities.com.