Florence, SC vs Hilton Head Island, SC

The cost of living difference between Florence, SC and Hilton Head Island, SC is dramatic. Florence is 44.1% cheaper than Hilton Head Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Florence has a cost index of 74 while Hilton Head Island sits at 133, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Florence is $922/month compared to $1,518/month in Hilton Head Island — a 39% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Florence is more affordable at $189,800 median vs $652,100.

Median household income in Florence is $56,433 compared to $96,715 in Hilton Head Island (-41.7%). The higher salaries in Hilton Head Island partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Florence spend roughly 19.6% of their income on rent, more than the 18.8% in Hilton Head Island.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.7°F vs 67.2°F). Florence receives more rainfall at 45.3" per year compared to 45" in Hilton Head Island.