City Comparison
Goose Creek vs Hilton Head Island
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Goose Creek scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Goose Creek
Hilton Head Island
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Goose Creek is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Hilton Head Island.
Housing costs are a major driver: Goose Creek's average rent is
43% lower than Hilton Head Island's.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Hilton Head Island | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,880 | -43% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $130 | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,600 | $3,850 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Goose Creek offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Goose Creek delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Goose Creek is estimated at
$53,000 vs $62,000 in Hilton Head Island.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $53,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 43,939 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $94,657 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.60000000000001°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hilton Head Island sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 66.80°F | 67.40°F |
| Summer High | 88.30°F | 86.00°F |
| Winter Low | 40.60°F | 44.40°F |
| Rainfall | 45.00 in | 50.90 in |
| Snowfall | 5.40 in | 7.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 239 | 237 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilton Head Island has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Goose Creek.
Goose Creek scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Goose Creek leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 54.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Goose Creek is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Hilton Head Island.
From a growth perspective, Goose Creek is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Goose Creek has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Goose Creek | Hilton Head Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 45,983 | 38,403 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.54% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 59.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Goose Creek
Advantages
Proximity to Joint Base Charleston provides robust employment and community integration for military families.
Housing affordability remains favorable compared to downtown Charleston and neighboring Mount Pleasant.
Abundant community parks, recreational facilities, and the Crowfield Golf Club offer active outdoor lifestyles.
Low violent crime rates contribute to a secure, family-friendly suburban environment.
Steady local economic growth and close access to major Lowcountry industrial and manufacturing employers.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors like US-52 during peak rush hours.
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transportation infrastructure.
Vulnerability to seasonal severe weather and hurricane risks typical of the South Carolina coast.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on local housing and rental prices.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options directly within city limits compared to downtown Charleston.
Hilton Head Island
Advantages
Pristine environment featuring over 12 miles of Atlantic beachfront and strict conservation codes protecting the natural canopy.
Exceptional community safety with crime rates significantly lower than the South Carolina state average.
World-class recreational infrastructure including over 60 miles of bike paths and dozens of championship golf courses.
High level of educational attainment with over 56% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Robust local healthcare access anchored by Novant Health Hilton Head Medical Center and specialized outpatient facilities.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and housing prices that far exceed national averages, limiting affordability for entry-level workers.
Significant seasonal traffic congestion along primary corridors during peak summer tourism months.
Higher median age can result in fewer traditional family-oriented public school infrastructures compared to metro mainland areas.
Vulnerability to seasonal tropical weather events and hurricanes typical of the South Carolina coast.
Limited public transportation network, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Goose Creek
#96South Carolina, USA
67.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
239/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
70
Hilton Head Island
#450South Carolina, USA
55.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,880
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
132
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
41.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
67.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
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