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City Report · SC

Hilton Head Island

Pop. 37,911·1st most expensive in South Carolina·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$2,938/mo
Year-over-Year
-1.6%
Month-over-Month
-5.4%
vs US Median
+$976
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Hilton Head Island · $2,938
More expensive than 89% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
66/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Hilton Head Island's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,938/mo
Expected by trend
$3,189/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hilton Head Island's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,705
1 BR
$1,770
2 BR
$1,960
3 BR
$2,360
4 BR+
$3,015
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,960/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,938 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$35,256/yr
At $2,938/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 1.6% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-1.6% YoY, -5.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Hilton Head Island, SC is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 56.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
37,911
Median income
$94,657
Median age
59.8
Renters
21.3%
Age distribution
19.6%
18.6%
39.2%
Under 1811.9%
18–3410.7%
35–5419.6%
55–6418.6%
65+39.2%
Gender
49.5%
50.5%
Male49.5%
Female50.5%
Race & ethnicity
75.7%
15.3%
White75.7%
Black7.2%
Hispanic15.3%
Asian1%
Other0.8%
Education (25+)
16.7%
20.7%
56.1%
No HS diploma6.4%
HS diploma16.7%
Some college20.7%
Bachelor's+56.1%
Housing tenure
78.7%
21.3%
Owner78.7%
Renter21.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Hilton Head Island, SC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,753 → $2,938
up 6.7%
Income
$87,884 → $94,657
up 7.7%
Population
38,068 → 37,911
down 0.4%
Renter share
21.1% → 21.3%
+0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
52.6% → 56.1%
+3.5 pts
Median age
59.1 → 59.8
+0.7 yrs

The median rent in Hilton Head Island, SC stood at $2,753 in 2023 and currently runs about $2,938, reflecting a 6.7% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $87,884 to $94,657 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.7% shift. College-educated residents now make up 56.1% of adults here, versus 52.6% in 2021. Taken together, the five-year picture in Hilton Head Island, SC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Hilton Head Island rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hilton Head Island on your salary?

At $2,938/mo, how Hilton Head Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Hilton Head Island rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Hilton Head Island. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hilton Head Island

About renting in Hilton Head Island, SC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Hilton Head Island is $2,938/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,705/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,960/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,770/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,360/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($94,657/yr), Hilton Head Island ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hilton Head Island an affordable city for renters?

Hilton Head Island is considered moderate for renters. At $2,938/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($94,657/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hilton Head Island slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Hilton Head Island?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $118,000/year (~$57/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,938/mo in Hilton Head Island. The local median household income is $94,657/yr, meaning the typical Hilton Head Island household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hilton Head Island?

Rent in Hilton Head Island has decreased 1.6% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Hilton Head Island neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hilton Head Island are 29926 ($2,922/mo), and 29928 ($3,079/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hilton Head Island is $2,938/mo.

How does Hilton Head Island rent compare to other cities in South Carolina?

Hilton Head Island is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina for rent, ranking #1 out of 67 tracked cities at $2,938/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hilton Head Island?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hilton Head Island ($2,938/mo): Hardeeville ($1,451/mo), Port Royal ($1,569/mo), Savannah ($1,798/mo).

What percentage of Hilton Head Island residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 21.3% of Hilton Head Island households are renters, while 78.7% are owner-occupied. Hilton Head Island leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hilton Head Island rent compare to the national average?

Hilton Head Island's median rent of $2,938/mo is $976 (50%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #1 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,938/mo, rent takes ~37% of Hilton Head Island's median household income ($94,657/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hilton Head Island 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3–6.2%
Run the Hilton Head Island affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Hilton Head Island
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Hilton Head Island, SC

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