What's the Real Cost of Living in Hilton Head, SC?
Curious about the cost of living in Hilton Head, South Carolina? From groceries to utilities and average salaries, we'll give you the lowdown on what to expect. Whether you're moving for work or would love to experience that summer vacation feeling year-round, planning and budgeting for Hilton Head’s living expenses is key. Let's break it down for you! Summary: Cost of Living in Hilton Head, SC Other Living Expenses in Hilton Head, SC Grocery Shopping and Dining Out in Hilton Head, SC Transportation Options and Fuel Costs in Hilton Head, SC Healthcare and Insurance Costs in Hilton Head, SC Utilities, Internet, and Phone Expenses in Hilton Head, SC Tax Rates in the Hilton Head Area, SC Recreation Costs in Hilton Head, SC Average Salary in Hilton Head, SC Average Cost of New Construction Homes in Hilton Head, SC, by Neighborhood Conclusion While sources vary on the exact number, as of March 2024, Payscale® reports the average cost of living in Hilton Head, South Carolina, is 8% greater than the national average. BestPlaces® puts it around 104, meaning the combination of living expenses, such as housing, transportation, utilities, and food, is higher than the national median cost of living. It’s important to note that the overall Hilton Head cost of living can vary depending on where you reside, and life on the island tends to be more expensive than in the suburbs. For example, as of March 2024, BestPlaces finds the Hilton Head Island cost of living is just over 30% higher than in greater Beaufort County. For a more complete picture of Hilton Head’s living expenses, it’s essential to consider other factors, such as transportation, food, standard utility bills, and health care. Given Hilton Head’s popularity as a tourist attraction and vacation getaway spot, prices in and around the island can fluctuate depending on the time of year. According to U.S. News and World Report, as of March 2024, June through August is Hilton Head’s peak tourism season since summertime is typically an ideal period to flock to the shore. Hilton Head’s groceries are about 8% higher than the national average, according to Payscale in March 2024, which also offers a few examples of the cost of everyday food items: Loaf of bread: $4.17 Gallon of milk: $2.61 Carton of eggs: $2.42 The cost of dining out depends on the restaurant and its location, meaning whether it’s on or off the island. Numbeo® finds a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant in Hilton Head to be around $60 for two people as of March 2024. Here are two additional examples of the difference in price between a restaurant in Hilton Head compared to one outside the island: Skull Creek Boathouse, a popular seafood spot on Hilton Head Island, has entrees between $20–$30 (March 2024). Cahill's Market & Chicken Kitchen in Bluffton offers dishes between $10–$20 (March 2024).
Cost of Living in Hilton Head, SC
Other Living Expenses in Hilton Head, SC
Grocery Shopping and Dining Out in Hilton Head, SC
Transportation Options and Fuel Costs in Hilton Head, SC
One option for transportation around the island is by bike. Per the Hilton Head government website, the island achieved Gold-Level status from the League of American Bicyclists in 2015, a level it has maintained, making it one of the top 39 bicycle-friendly areas in the U.S.
However, if you don’t own a bike or prefer a different set of wheels, you can find several rental companies on the island. Prices vary, but the average cost for a full-day rental ranges between $40–$50, according to Kayak® as of March 2024.
The island also offers The Breeze trolley with two routes, which is free to ride.
For travel off the island, driving is your best option for transportation. While prices fluctuate daily, the average cost of a gallon of gas in Hilton Head in March 2024 is $3.15, according to GasBuddy®, while AAA® reports an average price of $3.30.
Greater Beaufort County also offers the Palmetto Breeze, a bus transit system. As of March 2024, the Palmetto Breeze website states a one-way fare ranges from $1.00 to $4.00 depending on where you’re going, and the buses travel throughout the surrounding counties.
Healthcare and Insurance Costs in Hilton Head, SC
The cost of health care in Hilton Head is very close to the national average. As of March 2024, Payscale finds the cost to be 3% higher than the national average and offers this glimpse at the median price of some medical visits:
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Doctor’s appointment: $128.28
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Dentist: $110.68
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Optometrist: $120.84
The cost of health insurance depends on several factors, such as the scope of your employer’s options if they offer insurance, the plan level chosen, your age, your health history, and your dependents. For 2024, MoneyGeek® reports that the least expensive insurance plan premiums range from $258 to $508 monthly.
For more information on health insurance options in South Carolina, visit the state’s Affordable Care Act website.
Utilities, Internet, and Phone Expenses in Hilton Head, SC
According to Payscale, as of March 2024, the average energy bill in Hilton Head runs $178.59 per month, and the island’s utilities are only 1% higher than the national average.
According to Hilton Head’s Public Service District’s June 2023 residential data, the base water charge for a home is $16.50, with tiers added on based on usage, and the monthly sewer rate’s base charge is $18.50.
The average phone bill is around $192, according to Payscale in March 2024, though the exact cost depends on your plan and the number of lines you have. Per CNET, monthly internet fees in South Carolina average $50–$80 in February 2024, depending on the provider and service speed.
Tax Rates in the Hilton Head Area, SC
Per the Tax Foundation, as of March 2024, South Carolina has a graduated individual income tax rate that ranges from 0% to 6.5%. Additional taxes include a 6% state sales tax and a maximum 3% local sales tax, with a combined state and local sales tax rate averaging 7.43%.
Additionally, the Hilton Head Island government website states there is a hospitality tax of 2% on prepared foods, meals, and beverages as of March 2024. The annual funds of this tax go toward safety and public improvement projects.
The Beaufort County government website states that residents pay a primary residence property tax of 4% and a vehicle tax of 6% as of March 2024.
Recreation Costs in Hilton Head, SC
You’ll find an abundance of fun things to do in Hilton Head, particularly for those who love to be on or near the water, and many of them are free! Here are a few recreational costs to be aware of on the island as of March 2024:
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There are numerous spots to enjoy the island’s sandy shores, including Alder Lane Beach Access, Coligny Beach Park, and Driessen Beach Park. Parking at Coligny Beach, one of the island’s most popular beaches, is free, while metered spaces at Alder Lane are $0.25 for every 15 minutes, and spaces at Driessen Beach Park are $0.25 for every 30 minutes.
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Experience the beauty of Sea Pines Forest Preserve or the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge at no charge.
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If you don’t own a kayak or canoe, several companies in the area offer two-hour rental sessions for $30–$40.
Average Salary in Hilton Head, SC
According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data, the median household income in Beaufort County, where Hilton Head sits, is around $83,000.
Average Cost of New Construction Homes in Hilton Head, SC, by Neighborhood
Beyond Hilton Head Island, some of the popular areas to build a new home include Okatie, Hardeeville, Bluffton, and Pritchardville.
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island is at the heart of the action in the county. It’s where tourists flock for its 12 miles of coastline, and lucky full-time residents get to live like every day is a beach vacation. The island has a mix of grocery stores, restaurants, boutiques, small souvenir shops, and rental companies for bikes, kayaks, canoes, and anything needed for a great day at the beach. Though no new construction homes are available on Hilton Head Island as of March 2024, the median listing price of homes in the area is $639K, according to Realtor.com® as of February 2024.
Okatie
Okatie is a suburb of Hilton Head, roughly 14 miles from the island. Locals love the many outdoor activities available, from the marshy landscape of the Lowcountry to the beautiful beaches on Hilton Head Island. Okatie is also near the University of South Carolina’s Bluffton campus, several neighborhoods, and multiple golf courses. The cost of a new construction home in Okatie ranges from the upper $300Ks to the mid $400Ks, per NewHomeSource® in March 2024.
Hardeeville
Hardeeville is primarily a junction, and the heart of the town is where I-95, Highway 17, and Highway 46 intersect. The city’s website in March 2024 boasts that it’s 15 miles from both Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia. This lovely area has quaint homes, a recreation center, and convenient access to the larger cities nearby, including Bluffton. NewHomeSource finds the cost of a new construction home in Hardeeville ranges from the low $300Ks to the upper $900Ks as of March 2024.
Bluffton
Bluffton takes up much of the boundary lines in Beaufort County, and it could be considered the original suburb of Hilton Head, just over seven miles from the island. It’s full of residential areas, grocery stores, shopping centers, and golf courses while also offering access to the May River that weaves its way down to the Atlantic Ocean. As of March 2024, the cost of a new construction home in Bluffton runs from the upper $300Ks to the upper $700Ks, according to NewHomeSource. Our new construction homes in Bluffton, SC, start in the mid $400Ks.
Pritchardville
Pritchardville sits between Bluffton and Hardeville, 14 miles from Hilton Head Island. Residents can spend time at the golf course or hiking the New River Linear Trail. Locals enjoy the small-town feel and proximity to outdoor experiences like the May River. The cost of a new construction home in Pritchardville starts in the low $400Ks, per NewHomeSource as of March 2024.
Conclusion
When budgeting for the cost of living in Hilton Head, SC, it’s all about location, especially for a tourist magnet like this island. Generally, living expenses here are slightly higher than the national average and may vary depending on where you live, whether on the island or in one of its cozy suburbs nearby. Either way, calling Hilton Head home means enjoying all the beauty and fun this vibrant area offers.
Explore new construction homes in Hilton Head, SC, today or browse more Pulte® blogs.
Written By: Alexandra Shimalla, Freelance Journalist
Last Updated: 11/7/2024