South Carolina is renowned for its beach towns—and for good reason.
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First, they’re picturesque and expansive. Second, the coasts are also home to some of the US’s oldest colonial settlements.
Most importantly, South Carolina’s beaches are associated with fine living, country values, and historical architecture.
But would you have pegged areas like Kiawah Island and Folly Beach as some of the most expensive in the US? According to a report from Upgraded Points, Folly Beach ranks 5th amongst the US’s most expensive beaches, while Kiawah Island comes in 6th place.
Visitors will fork over an average of $900 a night in Folly Beach, which averages to around $5,943 a week. Kiawah Island costs the same in terms of nightly hotel rates but evens out to a slightly lower $5,576 per week. Regardless, both are hefty sums.
The only pricier destinations in 2023 were Malibu California, then New York’s Montauk, Southampton, and North Hampton areas. That means that Folly Beach and Kiawah Island came out pricier than Maui, Laguna Beach, and Key West.
How in the hell are Kiawah Island and Folly Beach more expensive than Maui? Let’s dig in.
Kiawah Island: new PGA territory
Kiawah Island stretches around 21 miles and is dotted with luxurious private homes. Some of them are owned by celebs like George Clooney and Reese Witherspoon. To preserve its natural beauty, the island has capped its total number of lodgings.
That means there aren’t many ways to get to Kiawah. Homeowners on the island can rent out their property. Otherwise, visitors can stay at one of two hotels on the island. The first is The Sanctuary, a five-star resort. The second is the Andell Inn.
It’s easy to see here what has driven up the island’s value: limited space, high demand, and wealthy residents. But there’s another secret ingredient that has made Kiawah Island a destination for the wealthy.
It’s home to seven championship-caliber golf courses. These have been designed by golf big-wigs, from Jack Nicklaus to Gary Player. One of the island’s courses, The Ocean Course, has hosted multiple PGA Championships. In fact, the Andell Inn was completed in 2021 so Kiawah could host more visitors for that year’s PGA Championship.
Folly Beach: accessibility drives demand
It’s easy to see why Kiawah Island is so pricy—but the picture isn’t quite as clear for Folly Beach. In fact, it might be a case of opposites.
Kiawah Island is pricey because it’s so exclusive and small—while Folly Beach is expensive because it’s accessible.
In other words, this beachside town is slammed with tourism during summer, which drives up prices on just about everything. Given it’s only a 12-mile drive from Charleston, it’s the number one choice for many locals and inter-state travelers who want to take a dip.
Here, prices are driven by a tourist economy.
While travelers might expect to pay exorbitant prices for a trip to Kiawah at any time of the year, Folly Beach sees a meteoric rise in rental prices during its high season. Its beaches are free, as are a variety of other amenities, which appeal to families and groups of all sizes.
But get it while it lasts. Over the last few years, local authorities have shipped in tons of sand—literally. Folly Beach is technically a barrier island that’s disappearing thanks to massive storms and environmental changes.
Kiawah Island & Folly Beach: which one should you visit?
I’m amazed at just how different the beach experience is at Folly Beach versus Kiawah Island despite their similar pricing. However, it’s worth pointing out that the study from Upgraded Points focuses on rental prices—not things like dining, transportation, and so on.
So, from a price standpoint, Folly Beach remains the leading option. Given its wide range of free amenities, you’ll get a bang for your buck, especially if you’re traveling with your family.
Kiawah Island is best saved for a bucket list-caliber adventure. Remember, everything on this exclusive island is priced toward its wealthy residents—and they won’t know you’re not local.
