Cost of Living in Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Hilton Head Island, SC to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Hilton Head Island, SC vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.0 | −2.0% |
| Housing | 101.2 | +1.2% |
| Goods | 96.3 | −3.7% |
| Utilities | 88.1 | −11.9% |
| Other services | 98.3 | −1.7% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Hilton Head Island, SC
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,550 | $62,000/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,623 | $64,920/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,779 | $71,160/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,133 | $85,320/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,656 | $106,240/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Hilton Head Island, SC
- Federal income tax$3,082
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,719
- Medicare (1.45%)$636
- South Carolina income tax$1,474
- Take-home pay$35,940
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Hilton Head Island, SC
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hilton Head Island, SC expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metro area are 98.0% of the U.S. average, with housing at 101.2%. It is the #114 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Hilton Head Island, SC?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $58,810 in Hilton Head Island, SC (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $43,850.
How much is rent in Hilton Head Island, SC?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Hilton Head Island, SC are $1,550 for a studio, $1,623 for one bedroom, $1,779 for two bedrooms and $2,133 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Hilton Head Island, SC
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $102,770
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $79,990
- Accountant and Auditor — $77,610
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $71,330
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $65,290
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $64,990
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $81,400
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $43,610
- Nursing Assistant — $37,730
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $30,900
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,240
- Firefighter — $50,210
- Security Guard — $36,810
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,450
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,920
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,820
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $29,590
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,550
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,340
- Bartender — $20,030
- Waiter and Waitress — $19,830
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $37,770
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $34,380
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $34,070
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,300
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $61,860
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $51,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $49,450
- Retail Salesperson — $33,880
- Cashier — $30,350
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $59,090
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,250
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $46,790
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $41,600
- Office Clerks, General — $38,290
- Customer Service Representative — $37,590
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $35,550
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $35,510
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $76,620
- Carpenter — $49,070
- Construction Laborer — $45,750
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $50,920
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $46,170
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $52,530
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $37,040
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,110