Hilton Head Island, SC vs Port Royal, SC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Port Royal is 24.7% cheaper than Hilton Head Island. With a cost index of 107 vs 133, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Port Royal to Hilton Head Island should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hilton Head Island is $1,518/month compared to $1,606/month in Port Royal — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hilton Head Island has cheaper rent, Port Royal actually has lower median home values ($298,000 vs $652,100).

Median household income in Hilton Head Island is $96,715 compared to $70,330 in Port Royal (+37.5%). While Hilton Head Island is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hilton Head Island spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 27.4% in Port Royal.

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