Ocean City is in Maryland on the East Coast of the USA, while Myrtle Beach is in South Carolina. Summers are hot and winters are mild in both cities.
Ocean City has diverse restaurants like Hobbit Restaurant and Malia’s Cafe, while Myrtle Beach is known for seafood buffets and places like Sea Captain’s House.
Ocean City generally offers more budget-friendly accommodation, while Myrtle Beach provides a wider range of lodging choices, including luxurious resorts.
If you choose Ocean City vs Myrtle Beach based on this quick answer, you won’t be justified. So, keep reading the article to learn more about the deciding factors.
Ocean City vs. Myrtle Beach: A Brief Comparison
Both Ocean City and Myrtle Beach are wonderful places for spending your vacation. Before delving into them in full, let’s have a quick picture of the differentiating factors.
They are also important while deciding between Brickell vs Miami Beach or Cocoa Beach vs Clearwater.
| Factor | Ocean City | Myrtle Beach |
| Location | Maryland, East Coast of USA | South Carolina, USA |
| Climate & Atmosphere | -Humid subtropical climate with long
-Warm to hot and humid summers |
-Humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters.
-Quaint and charming |
| Where to stay | -Holiday Inn & Suites Ocean City
-Hilton Oceancity Oceanfront suites -Holiday Ocean City -Best Western Plus -Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort |
-Holiday Inn at the Pavilion -Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave Myrtle Beach
-Admiral Hotel-Motel -Americana Condos -Ashore Resort and Beach Club |
| Dining and restaurants | -Hobbit Restaurant
-Sunset Grille -Cafe Mirage -Malia’s Cafe -Belly Busters Seafood and Deli |
Seafood buffets, beachfront bars, and family-friendly restaurants. |
| Activities | -Boardwalk walking
-Visit an amusement park -Fishing trip -Limited Golf courses -Paddleboarding |
Bustling boardwalk
-An amusement park -Wide range of Golf courses -Swimming, sunbathing, and water sports |
| Nightlife | -Lively nightlife
-Multiple Nightclubs |
-Vibrant and energetic nightlife
-Amazing nightclubs |
| The best time to visit | -Summer (May to early September) | -Summertime(hot and crowded)
-April, May, and October(less crowded & |
| Cost | Budget-friendly | A bit costly |
Ocean City vs. Myrtle Beach: An Elaborated Comparison
In this section, we are going to look into the factors in a great deal. This will help you to make a decision.
Location
Ocean City is located in Maryland on the East Coast of the USA while Myrtle Beach is situated in South Carolina, USA.
Ocean City is conveniently served by the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport. On the other hand, Myrtle Beach is accessible through the Myrtle Beach International Airport.
Both Ocean City and Myrtle Beach are popular coastal destinations along the eastern seaboard of the United States, but they are located in different states and offer distinct experiences to visitors.
Climate & Atmosphere
Ocean City and Myrtle Beach both experience humid subtropical climates with hot summers and mild winters.
However, both of them get cooled by winter. During winter, temperatures of Ocean City are cool with an average high of 45°F (7.5°C), occasionally reaching the 50-60°F range. On the other hand, 37°F (3°C) in Myrtle Beach.
Where to Stay
Both Myrtle Beach and Ocean City offer numerous accommodations with pet-friendly environments and swimming pools.
If you’re planning a coastal getaway at Myrtle Beach, the following options would be great for you.
- Hilton Grand Vacations Club Ocean Enclave
- Admiral Hotel-Motel
- Americana Condos
- Ashore Resort and Beach Club
Ocean City also has its own share of hotels and motels according to your necessity. Here are the top picks.
- Holiday Inn & Suites Ocean City
- Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites
- Holiday Ocean City
- Best Western Plus
- Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort
- Holiday Inn at the Pavilion
Dining and Restaurant
The culinary scenes in Myrtle Beach and Ocean City are both diverse, so everyone can find something to suit their tastes.
Ocean City has a number of great restaurants to choose from
- Hobbit Restaurant,
- Sunset Grille,
- Cafe Mirage,
- Malia’s Cafe,
- Belly Busters Seafood
- and Deli, and Ropewalk Ocean City
In contrast, Myrtle Beach is known for its seafood buffets, beachfront bars, and family-friendly restaurants. Myrtle Beach’s finest eateries include
- Sea Captain’s House
- The Library Restaurant
- And The Melting Pot
Activities
Both Ocean City and Myrtle Beach offer numerous activities. However, Ocean City lacks in terms of golf courses while Myrtle Beach offers several choices of golf courses.
Then, Ocean City features a 2.5-mile boardwalk offering a wide array of shops, and attractions, such as amusement park rides, arcades, and live entertainment.
In Ocean City, you can go to:
- Jolly Roger at the Pier
- Trimper rides
- Mini Golf
On the other hand, Myrtle Beach boasts a 1.2-mile boardwalk housing various shops, restaurants, and attractions, notably the impressive 187-foot-tall SkyWheel.
In Myrtle Beach you can enjoy the park, the iconic attractions include:
- The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
- And Ripley’s Aquarium.
The city caters to adventure seekers with water sports like jet skiing and parasailing.
Nightlife
Both Ocean City and Myrtle Beach offer vibrant and lively nightlife options.
In Ocean City, you’ll find wonderful venues. The options are:
- Seacrets
- Fager’s Island Bar
- And Purple Moose Saloon.
The nightlife scene in Myrtle Beach is also lively, with a variety of bars and clubs. The nightclubs include
- The popular Club Boca
- And the Oz Nightclub.
To enjoy music, visitors can go to some amazing options. The options are:
- The House of Blues
- Or the Carolina Opry.
Best Time to Visit
Ocean City experiences its peak season from late May to early September, drawing families with warm weather. On the other hand, Myrtle Beach offers the most pleasant conditions in May, October, and April.
In Ocean City, the spring and fall shoulder seasons present milder weather and fewer crowds. Budget-conscious travelers may also find winter appealing. Spring or fall may be more appealing to visitors who enjoy outdoor activities and festivals.
On the other hand, Myrtle Beach experiences peak popularity during the summer, although July and August can be both scorching and crowded. In the autumn, visitors are enticed by the city’s attractions and shopping opportunities.
Cost
Ocean City typically comes at a more budget-friendly rate compared to Myrtle Beach.
In Ocean City, you’ll find a diverse selection of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals to suit various budgets. In contrast, Myrtle Beach offers a broader spectrum of lodging choices, encompassing luxurious resorts, budget-friendly hotels, and vacation rentals.
So, Which One Is Better for You?
If your budget is lower, you need to pick Ocean City since offers more budget-friendly options. But if you love luxury resorts but don’t bother about money, go for Myrtle Beach.
Then, if you are a golf enthusiast, Myrtle Beach golf courses would be a holy grail for you.
Ocean City experiences cooler temperatures during the summer. On the other hand, Myrtle Beach has hotter summers but can be crowded in July and August.
Conclusion
Now, you know the differences between Ocean City vs. Myrtle Beach.
Each resort is good in its own way. The choice you make will depend on your needs, preferences, and budget.
