How much does it cost to rent in Hilton Head Island, SC?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Hilton Head Island, SC is $3,106. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Hilton Head Island cheaper than other South Carolina cities?

Hilton Head Island is one of the pricier cities in South Carolina, ranking #1 out of 67 cities tracked at $3,106/mo.

When was Hilton Head Island rent data last updated?

Hilton Head Island rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · SC

Hilton Head Island

Name: Average Rent Prices in Hilton Head Island, SC
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 37,911·1st most expensive in South Carolina·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$3,106/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.5%

Month-over-Month

-1.0%

vs US Median

+$1,141

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Hilton Head Island · $3,106

More expensive than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

55/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% below what Hilton Head Island's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$3,106/mo

Expected by trend

$3,188/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

Research median

$1,960/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$37,272/yr

At $3,106/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.5% YoY, -1.0% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $3,106

up 12.8%

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 $3,106, reflecting a 12.8% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $87,884 to $94,657 between 2021 and 2024, a 7.7% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. 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 $3,106/mo, how Hilton Head Island rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $83,142/yr · Rent = 44.8% income

rent-burdened

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,030/yr · Rent = 63.1% income

severely rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $67,998/yr · Rent = 54.8% income

severely rent-burdened

Software Developer

Avg $121,537/yr · Rent = 30.7% income

stretched

Lawyer

Avg $155,294/yr · Rent = 24% income

affordable

Firefighter

Avg $55,273/yr · Rent = 67.4% income

severely rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $49,905/yr · Rent = 74.7% income

severely rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $61,512/yr · Rent = 60.6% income

severely rent-burdened

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hilton Head Island is $3,106/mo as of July 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 39% of local median household income ($94,657/yr), Hilton Head Island ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.5% 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 $3,106/mo, rent takes approximately 39% 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 $124,000/year (~$60/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,106/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 increased 3.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Hilton Head Island neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hilton Head Island are 29926 ($3,091/mo), and 29928 ($3,133/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hilton Head Island is $3,106/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 $3,106/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hilton Head Island ($3,106/mo): Hardeeville ($1,499/mo), Port Royal ($1,505/mo), Beaufort ($1,800/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 $3,106/mo is $1,141 (58%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within South Carolina, it ranks #1 out of 67 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

39%

MODERATE

At $3,106/mo, rent takes ~39% of Hilton Head Island's median household income ($94,657/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hilton Head Island 39%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3–6.2%

Run the Hilton Head Island affordability calculator →

Nearby cities