Hilton Head Island, SC vs St. Andrews, SC

The cost of living difference between Hilton Head Island, SC and St. Andrews, SC is dramatic. St. Andrews is 73.3% cheaper than Hilton Head Island, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hilton Head Island has a cost index of 133 while St. Andrews sits at 77, 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 Hilton Head Island is $1,518/month compared to $1,060/month in St. Andrews — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Andrews is more affordable at $146,700 median vs $652,100.

Median household income in Hilton Head Island is $96,715 compared to $45,321 in St. Andrews (+113.4%). 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 28.1% in St. Andrews.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (67.2°F vs 64.3°F). St. Andrews receives more rainfall at 45.2" per year compared to 45" in Hilton Head Island.