Forest Acres, Lexington crack SC 10 best places to live for 2026. Columbia landed No. 41

Two Midlands communities are among the best places to live in South Carolina — and they outranked every big city in the state.

Forest Acres came in at No. 3 and Lexington at No. 7 on Niche’s new list of best places to live in South Carolina, beating out Greenville (No. 14), Charleston (No. 20) and even the state capital.

Columbia? It landed at No. 41.

None of the state’s biggest cities cracked the top 10. But their nearby communities did, including Forest Acres and Lexington in the Midlands and Five Forks, Taylors and Wade Hampton in Greenville County. All the top 10 communities have one thing in common: their schools are highly rated.

Midlands pride: Forest Acres and Lexington shine

Forest Acres, the Richland County community with a population of 10,530, earned the No. 3 spot statewide. The community “offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes,” Niche said.

The median home value is $279,300 with a median rent of $1,263 — both figures that look appealing compared to several higher-ranked communities.

“There are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks,” Niche said. “Many young professionals and retirees live in Forest Acres and residents tend to be liberal.”

Lexington, at No. 7, has a population of 24,585 and most residents own their homes. The median home value is $297,700 with a median rent of $1,545.

“Many families and young professionals live in Lexington and residents tend to be conservative,” Niche said.

Both Midlands communities boast median home values well below the statewide top 10 average, making them not just desirable but accessible.

Columbia at 41: What gives?

Columbia’s No. 41 ranking puts the state capital well behind its own suburbs — and behind both Greenville at No. 14 and Charleston at No. 20. For a city that serves as the seat of state government, that ranking is sure to spark some debate among Midlands residents who know the capital city’s strengths firsthand.

Who topped the list

Tega Cay was ranked first. The York County suburb of Charlotte with 13,615 people “offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes,” Niche said.

Tega Cay was founded in 1970 as a planned community by the Ervin Company on 1,540 wooded acres on Lake Wylie. It was a joint venture between the Ervin Company and Crescent Land and Timber (a subsidiary of Duke Power). They built roads, a clubhouse, three pools, tennis courts and a golf course before house construction began.

After financial difficulties of two developers, Tega Cay became a city in 1982.

The median home value is $529,200, compared to the national median value of $332,700 and the median rent is $1,408, compared to $1,413 nationally. Public schools are highly rated.

“Many families live in Tega Cay and residents tend to lean conservative,” Niche said.

Central, at No. 2, is located in Pickens County with a population of 5,320, about 4 miles north of Clemson. “Living in Central offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes,” Niche said. The median rent is $876 and median home value is $256,600, both well below the national median.

“Many young professionals live in Central and residents tend to be conservative.”

Greenville County suburbs make a strong showing

Three Greenville County communities landed in the top 10.

Five Forks, at No. 4, is rapidly developing with high-end subdivisions and commercial business. It has a population of 18,656. Most people own their homes. The median home value is $452,200, median rent $2,178.

“Many families live in Five Forks and residents tend to lean conservative,” Niche said.

Taylors came in at No. 8 with a population of 24,505. Most residents own their homes. The median home value is $257,500, median rent $1,337.

“Many families and young professionals live in Taylors and residents tend to lean conservative,” Niche said.

Wade Hampton ranked No. 9 with 20,898 people. Most residents own their homes. The median home value is $339,000, median rent $1,115. The area includes a mix of young professionals and retirees. “Residents tend to lean conservative,” Niche said.

The rest of the top 10

Fort Mill, at No. 5, is a suburb of Charlotte with a population of 30,775 in York County, about eight miles east of Tega Cay. Most residents own their homes. The median home value is $487,500, median rent $1,503. “Many families live in Fort Mill and residents tend to lean conservative,” Niche said.

Clemson, at No. 6, has a population of 18,072 in Pickens County. Kayak recently listed it as the No. 1 most underrated college town in the United States. Most residents rent their homes. The median rent is $1,007 and the median home value $398,400. As with any college town, it has many bars, restaurants, coffee shops and parks. “Residents tend to be conservative,” Niche said.

Mount Pleasant, at No. 10, is the largest municipality on the list with 93,993 people and the only Lowcountry representative. It is adjacent to Charleston Harbor and is the fourth-most populous municipality in South Carolina. Its population doubled between 1990 and 2000. Most residents own their homes. The median home value is $748,500, median rent $2,159.

“Many families and young professionals live in Mount Pleasant and residents tend to lean liberal,” Niche said.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.