Median rent is 15% lower in Hilton Head Island ($1,518/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Hilton Head Island, where the median home runs $652,100 versus $751,700. Households earn more in Hilton Head Island ($96,715 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
Hilton Head Island, SC
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Hilton Head Island, SC?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Hilton Head Island
South Carolina
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Hilton Head Island at $1,518/mo compared to $1,779/mo in New York (15% gap). Median home values are within 13% of each other: $652,100 in Hilton Head Island and $751,700 in New York.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.40% versus 10.90% in New York, so Hilton Head Island is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in South Carolina and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Hilton Head Island
Income tax: 6.40%
Sales tax: 6.00%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Hilton Head Island.
Pick Hilton Head Island if you prioritize higher median household income ($96,715/yr).
Pick Hilton Head Island if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,518/mo median).
Pick Hilton Head Island if you prioritize lower state income tax (6.40%).
Is Hilton Head Island cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Hilton Head Island vs New York?
Median rent is $1,518/mo in Hilton Head Island, SC and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Hilton Head Island, SC has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Hilton Head Island or New York?
Median household income is $96,715 in Hilton Head Island, SC and $79,713 in New York, NY. Hilton Head Island, SC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Hilton Head Island or New York?
South Carolina's top income tax rate is 6.40% and New York's is 10.90%. Hilton Head Island, SC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Hilton Head Island income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology