Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Among the top 14% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 18% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 81% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 19% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 86% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 56% of US places
- top 6% for annual snowfall
- top 9% for comfortable days
- bottom 1% for natural disaster risk
Hilton Head Island is a mid-size city in South Carolina with about 38,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include annual snowfall, comfortable days, and property tax rate. It rates lower on summer humidity and natural disaster risk.
Official websitehiltonheadislandsc.gov (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot, humid summers · Cool winters · Moderate rain
cool
comf.
warm
hot
warm
comf.
cool
69%59%clearovercast
Precipitation 5.4 in2.9 in
oppressive 100%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$94k82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$64kbetter than 9% of US places
Home Value$589k93rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 15% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 11% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.47%better than 90% of US places
Income Tax6.40%better than 26% of US places
Sales Tax7.50%better than 45% of US places
Estimated total tax burden11.85%better than 30% of US places
Unemployment2.8%better than 61% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)51°F90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)83°F90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation46.3 in65th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall0.0 inbetter than 94% of US places
Sunny Days232 daysbetter than 48% of US places
Summer Humidity73°Fbetter than 4% of US places
Comfortable Days110 daysbetter than 91% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk97.9better than 1% of US places
Air Quality47 AQIbetter than 48% of US places
School Quality87.1better than 80% of US places
Violent Crime1492/100kbetter than 17% of US places
Property Crime1386/100kbetter than 33% of US places
Community
Population37,70896th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age59.893rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3771st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0054th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+1036th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)75.4%36th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)7.1%80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)13.8%79th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.8%68th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.0%51st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time19 minbetter than 90% of US places
Walkability7.5/20better than 67% of US places
Airport Distance64 mibetter than 58% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access91.7%better than 71% of US places
Amenities Nearby33.68better than 31% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 62% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Hilton Head Island an affordable place to live?
- Hilton Head Island is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $64k, better than 9% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Hilton Head Island?
- The median home value in Hilton Head Island is $589k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Hilton Head Island?
- Median household income in Hilton Head Island is $94k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Hilton Head Island?
- Median gross rent in Hilton Head Island is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Hilton Head Island safe?
- Hilton Head Island is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1492/100k (better than 17%). Property crime is 1386/100k.
- What is the weather like in Hilton Head Island?
- Hilton Head Island averages 83°F in July and 51°F in January, with 46.3 in of annual precipitation and about 232 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Hilton Head Island?
- Public-school quality in Hilton Head Island is above average, scoring better than 80% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Hilton Head Island?
- The average one-way commute in Hilton Head Island is 19 min.
Places near Hilton Head Island
Compare Hilton Head Island
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)