Cost of Living: Charleston, SC vs Hilton Head Island, SC

Quick rent-and-take-home comparison

Using a baseline of $70,000/yr gross, take-home is about $4,143/mo in Charleston, SC versus $4,143/mo in Hilton Head Island, SC. In the model, rent is about 23.78% of gross in Charleston, SC versus 22.11% in Hilton Head Island, SC, so Hilton Head Island, SC tends to feel more affordable for rent.

Take-home in Charleston, SC
$4,143/mo
Income level: below
Take-home in Hilton Head Island, SC
$4,143/mo
Income level: below
Rent share (1BR) in Charleston, SC
23.78%
COLI tier: mid-range
Rent share (1BR) in Hilton Head Island, SC
22.11%
COLI tier: mid-range

Compare cost of living, rent, housing prices, and salary affordability between Charleston, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC.

At a glance

  • Cheaper overall (lower cost-of-living index): Hilton Head Island, SC
  • Lower rent (median 1BR/2BR): Hilton Head Island, SC
  • Lower home prices: Charleston, SC
  • Higher median household income: Hilton Head Island, SC

Cost of Living Index

Charleston, SC: 100 (U.S. = 100) · Hilton Head Island, SC: 100 (U.S. = 100)

Both cities have the same cost-of-living index (U.S. average = 100).

Median Rent

Charleston, SC: $1,551/mo (midpoint of 1BR/2BR) · Hilton Head Island, SC: $1,442/mo

Median rent in Charleston, SC is $109/mo higher than in Hilton Head Island, SC.

Median Home Price

Charleston, SC: $469,100 · Hilton Head Island, SC: $652,100

Median home price in Hilton Head Island, SC is $183,000 higher than in Charleston, SC.

Median Household Income

Charleston, SC: $90,038 · Hilton Head Island, SC: $96,715

Hilton Head Island, SC has a higher median household income than Charleston, SC by $6,677.

Charleston, SC overview · Hilton Head Island, SC overview · Popular comparisons