What is the cost of living in Hilton Head Island, SC?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Hilton Head Island has an overall cost of living index of 137, which is 1.4x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to South Carolina, Hilton Head Island has a cost of living index that's 1.5x higher than South Carolina's index of 92.
The standard of living in Hilton Head Island ranks as #97 most affordable out of the 98 places we measured in South Carolina. By definition, that implies Hilton Head Island ranks as the #1 most expensive place in the Palmetto State.
For more reading on life in Hilton Head Island, check out:
Hilton Head Island Cost Of Living Vs. South Carolina
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Hilton Head Island. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Hilton Head Island is 97.
The Groceries index in Hilton Head Island is 97.
The Health index in Hilton Head Island is 231.
The Housing index in Hilton Head Island is 97.
The Transportation index in Hilton Head Island is 103.
The Utilities index in Hilton Head Island is 98.
| Living Expense | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 137 | 92 | 100 |
| Services | 97 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 231 | 82 | 100 |
| Housing | 97 | 101 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 97 | 100 |
Hilton Head Island Cost Of Living Compared To South Carolina Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around South Carolina, check out:
- Most Expensive Cities In South Carolina
- Most Affordable Cities In South Carolina
- Average Rent In South Carolina
Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Hilton Head Island, SC Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in South Carolina, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Hilton Head Island is $787,678.
The Median Rent in Hilton Head Island is $1,479.
The Median Income in Hilton Head Island is $94,657.
The Home Value To Income in Hilton Head Island is 8.3x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Hilton Head Island is 0.19x.
| Statistic | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $787,678 | $304,083 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $1,479 | $1,180 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $94,657 | $69,324 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 8.3x | 4.4x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.19x | 0.2x | 0.21x |
Hilton Head Island, SC Costs By Category
Detailed Hilton Head Island Services costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo | $1.21 | $1.28 |
| Movie | $10.5 | $12.13 |
| Bowling | $22.67 | $18 |
| Haircut | $26.56 | $24.26 |
| Beauty Salon | $53.61 | $45.56 |
Detailed Hilton Head Island Groceries costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Beef | $5.79 | $5.84 |
| Fried Chicken | $1.45 | $1.57 |
| Milk | $4.6 | $4.67 |
| Potatoes | $5.52 | $4.93 |
| Pizza | $14.49 | $12.09 |
| Beer | $10.68 | $10.41 |
| Toothpaste | $3.5 | $3.7 |
Detailed Hilton Head Island Health costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | $200.92 | $125.68 |
| Doctor | $126.2 | $135.78 |
| Dentist | $104.0 | $113.29 |
Detailed Hilton Head Island Transportation costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $3.24 | $3.46 |
| Tire Balancing | $63.17 | $59.92 |
Detailed Hilton Head Island Utilities costs vs. South Carolina
| Item | Hilton Head Island | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| All Electricity | $180.25 | $193.99 |
| Phone | $190.25 | $192.25 |
Hilton Head Island SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Hilton Head Island
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Hilton Head Island. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Bluffton, SC has a cost of living index of 120, 0.9x Hilton Head Island.
Port Royal, SC has a cost of living index of 111, 0.8x Hilton Head Island.
Wilmington Island, GA has a cost of living index of 112, 0.8x Hilton Head Island.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluffton, SC | 33,157 | 120 | 0.9x |
| Port Royal, SC | 15,579 | 111 | 0.8x |
| Wilmington Island, GA | 13,905 | 112 | 0.8x |
| Beaufort, SC | 13,747 | 105 | 0.8x |
| Hardeeville, SC | 10,871 | 125 | 0.9x |
| Burton, SC | 6,912 | 91 | 0.7x |
| Whitemarsh Island, GA | 6,886 | 116 | 0.8x |
| Laurel Bay, SC | 5,882 | 98 | 0.7x |
