This is one of the more frequent comparison questions I get from buyers who have narrowed their Grand Strand search to inland Horry County. Both Loris and Conway offer real value compared to the coastal pockets. Both have their own character. And both attract genuinely different buyers even though they sit within a 25-minute drive of each other. After thirty-plus years of writing offers in both markets, I want to lay out the honest comparison so buyers can decide which fits them, not which is objectively better. There's no universal winner — there's a right choice for your specific priorities.

The Basic Geographic Difference

Conway sits about 15-20 minutes inland from Myrtle Beach along Highway 501. It's the Horry County seat, home to Coastal Carolina University, and has a historic downtown along the Waccamaw River. Population is roughly 26,000, with the greater Conway area much larger due to unincorporated county neighborhoods.

Loris sits roughly 25 minutes further inland, in the northwestern corner of Horry County. Population is about 2,500 in the city proper, with the surrounding rural area adding significantly to that. Highway 9 runs through Loris and connects to Highway 31 toward North Myrtle Beach.

Conway is a small city. Loris is a small town. That's the first-order difference that shapes almost everything else.

How the Two Feel on the Ground

Conway has a real downtown with restaurants, coffee shops, a Riverwalk, a movie theater, and enough retail depth to handle daily life without leaving the city. The CCU influence adds a college-town energy that keeps parts of Conway busier than a pure residential town would be.

Loris feels more like a farming town that happens to be near the coast. The Bog-Off Festival in October captures the town's identity — agricultural, community-oriented, deeply rooted. Downtown Loris is smaller and quieter than Conway, though it has restaurants and a growing retail base.

Both feel unmistakably Southern. Neither feels like a tourist town.  

Loris vs. Conway SC Which Is Better for Buyers

Inventory Comparison

Conway inventory:

  • - Historic downtown character homes ($220k-$500k)
  • - New construction communities like Carsens Ferry, Astoria Park, Wild Wing Plantation ($260k-$700k+)
  • - Established resale in older neighborhoods ($220k-$400k)
  • - Rural acreage on Highway 905 corridor ($350k-$700k+)
  • - Condos ($130k-$260k)

Loris inventory:

  • - Older farmhouses on real acreage ($200k-$400k for homes on 2-10 acres)
  • - Newer subdivision homes in communities like Barker Farms and Allsbrook Estates ($240k-$400k)
  • - In-town smaller homes on standard lots ($180k-$300k)
  • - Substantial land inventory at $4,000-$10,000 per acre
  • - Very limited condo inventory

Conway offers more variety at all price points. Loris offers better value per dollar in specific segments, particularly land and older farmhouses on acreage.

School Districts

Both towns fall within Horry County Schools, but different attendance zones.

Conway schools include Conway Elementary, Conway Middle, Conway High School and various neighborhood-specific elementary options. School attendance is address-based, so verify by exact street.

Loris schools include Loris Elementary, Loris Middle, and Loris High School. Smaller than Conway schools, with the small-school benefits and trade-offs — teachers know students, class sizes smaller, but narrower AP and elective options.

Families with high-achieving students often prefer Conway or Carolina Forest schools for the depth. Families who prioritize small-school experience often prefer Loris.

Commute and Access

Conway is materially better positioned for daily-life commuting. Myrtle Beach is 15-20 minutes away. Myrtle Beach International Airport is 20-25 minutes. Grand Strand Medical Center is 25 minutes. Costco, Tanger Outlets, and the Highway 17 retail corridor are all 20-25 minutes.

Loris is further from these destinations. North Myrtle Beach is 25 minutes via Highway 31. Myrtle Beach is 40-45 minutes. Healthcare is either Conway Medical Center (25 minutes) or McLeod Loris in town for basic care. Major shopping requires a real drive.

For buyers whose lifestyle involves frequent trips to the beach, airport, or specialty shopping, Conway is more convenient. For buyers who work from home and rarely need those destinations, Loris works fine.

Cost of Ownership Comparison

Property tax rates are essentially the same — both are in Horry County and follow the same 4 percent primary residence / 6 percent second home structure.

Insurance costs are slightly lower in Loris than Conway on average, though both are much friendlier than coastal pockets. The specific address matters more than the town.

Utility costs are comparable. Most Loris rural properties are on well and septic. Most Conway properties in town are on city water and sewer, though some rural Conway addresses use well and septic too.

HOA dues in Conway subdivisions typically run higher than Loris subdivisions, though both are modest compared to coastal condo buildings.

Who Should Choose Conway

Conway works better for buyers who:

  • - Want a real downtown they can walk to
  • - Value proximity to CCU (either as students, faculty, or investors)
  • - Need shorter commutes to beach, airport, or major shopping
  • - Want more variety in housing options at every price point
  • - Prefer larger schools with more program depth
  • - Enjoy the college-town energy of a small city

Who Should Choose Loris

Loris works better for buyers who:

  • - Want real acreage and space at prices that don't exist in Conway
  • - Value rural character and slower pace
  • - Are comfortable with well and septic and don't need city utilities
  • - Prioritize small-school experience over larger school program depth
  • - Work from home and don't need frequent commutes
  • - Want a genuine small-town community feel
  • - Are hobby farmers, gardeners, or want space for livestock

Two Things I Tell Every Buyer Comparing Loris and Conway

First, visit both on the same day if you can. Drive Main Street in Conway. Get coffee at a Conway shop. Then drive to Loris. Walk downtown. Notice how each town feels different from the moment you arrive. Your gut reaction on that visit tells you more than any list of pros and cons. Buyers who feel more at home in Conway usually should buy in Conway. Buyers who feel more at home in Loris should buy in Loris. Both are legitimate right answers.

Second, honestly assess your daily lifestyle. If you'll drive to the beach every weekend and to specialty shopping twice a week, Loris will wear on you. If you'll rarely leave your immediate neighborhood and value quiet acreage, Loris will delight you. The right answer is about your actual daily patterns, not about which town is objectively "better."

For broader inventory context on both, browse Conway real estate and Loris real estate side by side to see what your budget actually buys in each town.

Key Takeaways

  • - Conway is a small city; Loris is a small town — that fundamental difference shapes almost every other comparison
  • - Conway offers more housing variety, more amenities, and shorter commutes to beach, airport, and shopping
  • - Loris offers real acreage, rural character, and better value in specific segments (older farmhouses, land)
  • - Both share Horry County Schools but with different attendance zones and school-size characteristics
  • - Property tax and insurance costs are comparable, with slight edge to Loris on insurance
  • - Conway works better for buyers who want convenience and variety
  • - Loris works better for buyers who prioritize space, privacy, and small-town rural life
  • - Visit both on the same day and trust your gut reaction — the right answer is personal, not objective

About Greg Harrelson

Greg Harrelson is a seasoned Realtor® with more than 30 years of experience serving the Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand markets. As the founder of Century 21 The Harrelson Group, Greg has built his career helping buyers, sellers, and investors achieve success in every corner of the coastal Carolina real estate market. His expertise spans residential homes, investment properties, land development, and coastal condos. Known for his deep local knowledge, innovative marketing strategies, and commitment to personal service, Greg consistently helps clients reach their real estate goals while navigating the ever-changing market with confidence and precision.