Hilton Head Island 63 Average
Hilton Head Island Livability #158 ranked city in South Carolina#15,041 ranked city in the USARanks better than 48% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Hilton Head Island

PROS
  • Crime

    The crime rate is far lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. As such, it should be considered a very safe place to live when compared to other areas.

  • Employment

    This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.

  • Ratings

    Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

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What's it like Living in Hilton Head Island?

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is a medium-sized city with a population of 40,000 people. At 84%, the majority of the Hilton Head Island population is White; this is followed by 6% Black and 1% Asian. Hilton Head Island is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 58, which is well beyond the United States median age average. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Hilton Head Island. With an average one way commute time of only 20 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Hilton Head Island could be a positive experience compared to other cities in South Carolina if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Hilton Head Island and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Hilton Head Island to South Carolina and the national average.

With a livability score of 62/100, Hilton Head Island is ranked #14,905 in the United States and #152 in South Carolina. If we probe a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Hilton Head Island has higher than average rankings for the following: crime (B+), education (B-) and employment (A+). Hilton Head Island does not score well for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

The Hilton Head Island unemployment rate of 1.66% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Hilton Head Island is real estate affordability. The median home price for Hilton Head Island homes is $488,000, which is 239.8% higher than the South Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hilton Head Island, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.7, which is 83.9% higher than the South Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Hilton Head Island

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Hilton Head Island?

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Compare Hilton Head Island, SC Livability

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      Hilton Head Island transportation information

      Statistic Hilton Head Island South Carolina National
      Average one way commute20min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work73.9%82.8%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.9%9.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%0.6%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.8%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.8%2.2%2.8%
      Working from home11.6%3.6%4.6%
      Source: The Hilton Head Island, SC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).