Can A Registered Nurse Afford Rent in Hilton Head Island, SC?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 38% of gross income.
Hilton Head Island rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (South Carolina state estimate).
About rent and a registered nurse salary
Rent is the single largest fixed cost most renters carry, and the rent-to-income ratio is the simplest measure of whether a city is livable on a given salary. For renters earning a typical registered-nurse income, the 30% rule supports about $2,360 a month in rent. That margin covers comfortable one-bedroom rent in the vast majority of US metros but tightens significantly in the highest-rent coastal cities, where rent can claim 40% or more of an RN paycheck. The per-city pages below show the local rent, the local nurse-pay estimate, and where that combination sits on the affordability scale.
Cheaper rent nearby
These South Carolina cities have lower median rent than Hilton Head Island, which improves the affordability math on a registered nurse salary:
Compare with full rent data for Hilton Head Island
View full rent data for Hilton Head Island, SC →Frequently asked questions
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Hilton Head Island, SC?
Median rent in Hilton Head Island is $2,630 a month. A typical registered nurse in South Carolina earns about $83,142 a year, which makes that rent 38% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a registered nurse afford in Hilton Head Island?
Using the 30% rule, a registered nurse salary in South Carolina (~$83,142/yr) supports up to $2,079 a month in rent. Hilton Head Island's current median rent is $2,630/mo, which is $551/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a registered nurse work to cover rent in Hilton Head Island?
At an hourly equivalent of about $40 an hour, a registered nurse in South Carolina works roughly 65.8 hours a month to cover Hilton Head Island's median rent of $2,630.
Where is rent cheaper than Hilton Head Island for a registered nurse?
Nearby South Carolina cities with lower median rent include Mount Pleasant ($2,441/mo), Mount Pleasant ($2,418/mo), Mount Pleasant ($2,401/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a registered nurse salary.