What Is the Difference Between North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach?

Last updated October 2026

I hold real estate licenses in both North and South Carolina, and I work on both sides of the state line every week. Buyers mix these two cities up all the time, and it is easy to see why. The names are close. The rules, the tax lines and the city offices you call are not the same.

Are North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach the same city?

No. They are two different cities with their own charters and their own governments. Each one has a mayor and a city council that pass their own laws and set their own budgets.

• Myrtle Beach became a town in 1938. It became a city in 1957, when its year-round population first topped 5,000, according to the City of Myrtle Beach.
• North Myrtle Beach received its state charter on May 7, 1968. A South Carolina Senate resolution notes it was formed when four small beach towns voted to join together. The South Carolina Encyclopedia names them as Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive Beach, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill.

You will still hear people use those old names. Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive are now sections of North Myrtle Beach, not separate towns.

Where is North Myrtle Beach compared to Myrtle Beach?

North Myrtle Beach is north of Myrtle Beach, at the northern end of South Carolina’s Grand Strand. The City of Myrtle Beach describes itself as the heart of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of coast in northeastern South Carolina.

Each city has its own limits, and the land just outside them can fall under a different town or the county. The drive between the two depends on where you start and the time of year, so I suggest driving it yourself in season and off season before you decide.

How do city services differ between the two?

Each city runs its own services, so the office you call depends on which city the home is in. Here is a quick look at what each city lists on its own website:

• North Myrtle Beach has one city department that oversees both police and Fire Rescue. It also runs a Public Works department with a Water and Sewer Division and its own water billing office.
• Myrtle Beach has its own Police Department and Fire Department. It also has Public Works, a Utility Billing Division, Solid Waste and Recycling, and a Planning and Zoning Department.

Zoning, permits and short-term rental rules are set by each city for land inside its limits. If you plan to rent a home, remodel it or add a pool, check with the planning office of that city. Do not assume a rule from one city applies in the other.

Do property taxes differ between North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach?

Yes, they can, because each city sets its own tax rate on top of county taxes. Horry County notes that its own tax breakdown does not include taxes imposed by cities. A home inside either city pays a city tax as well as county and other taxes.

Each city council votes on its own millage each year. That means two homes with the same assessed value can have different tax bills if one is in North Myrtle Beach and the other is in Myrtle Beach.

I do not quote a single rate here because the rates can change each year. Instead, I pull the most recent tax bill for the exact home. That shows every line that applies to that property.

How do I know which city a home is in?

Check the tax record, not the mailing address. A street address that says “Myrtle Beach” or “North Myrtle Beach” does not always mean the home is inside that city’s limits.

• Look at the tax district on the most recent Horry County tax bill.
• Ask the city planning office to confirm the address is inside city limits.
• Ask which utility serves the home for water and sewer.

This matters for taxes, rental rules and which police and fire service responds. I check it early, during the due diligence period, so you can make a clear choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Myrtle Beach part of Myrtle Beach?

No. North Myrtle Beach is its own city with its own council and services. Both cities are in Horry County, South Carolina.

When was North Myrtle Beach incorporated?

The state issued its charter on May 7, 1968, after four beach towns voted to join together. Those towns were Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive Beach, Crescent Beach and Windy Hill.

Are property taxes the same in North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach?

Not always. Each city sets its own tax rate on top of county taxes. Check the most recent tax bill for the exact home.

Does a Myrtle Beach mailing address mean the home is in the city?

Not always. Check the tax district on the county tax bill or ask the city planning office to confirm the home is inside city limits.

Related Reading

North Myrtle Beach SC Homes for Sale and Area Guide
Myrtle Beach SC Homes for Sale
Selling Your Home in North Myrtle Beach, SC
Moving to Horry County, SC: Your New Resident Guide
Little River SC Homes for Sale
Bellesera Neighborhood Guide

DANIELLE KING, REALTOR®

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