City Comparison
Hilton Head Island vs Mount Pleasant
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Mount Pleasant scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hilton Head Island
Mount Pleasant
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mount Pleasant is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Hilton Head Island.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hilton Head Island's average rent is
31% higher than Mount Pleasant's.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Mount Pleasant | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,880 | $2,200 | +31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,850 | $3,190 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mount Pleasant offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mount Pleasant delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hilton Head Island is estimated at
$62,000 vs $62,000 in Mount Pleasant.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Mount Pleasant |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 43,939 idx | 55,738 idx |
| Household Income | $94,657 | $124,755 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.60000000000001°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Mount Pleasant sees 0.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Mount Pleasant |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.40°F | 66.80°F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | 86.30°F |
| Winter Low | 44.40°F | 42.60°F |
| Rainfall | 50.90 in | 47.40 in |
| Snowfall | 7.60 in | 7.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | 232 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hilton Head Island has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hilton Head Island leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Mount Pleasant |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 25.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mount Pleasant is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Hilton Head Island.
From a growth perspective, Mount Pleasant is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mount Pleasant has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Mount Pleasant |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,403 | 95,606 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 59.8 | 42.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 2.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Mount Pleasant
Advantages
Median household income is over $124,000, significantly higher than state and national averages per Census data.
Exceptionally low crime rates and high safety profile across master-planned neighborhoods like Carolina Park and I'On.
Proximity to top-tier coastal beaches including Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms.
Top-rated public school district serving families in Charleston County.
Robust local healthcare infrastructure anchored by Roper St. Francis and East Cooper Medical Center.
Drawbacks
High cost of living with median property values approaching $750,000.
Heavy traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along the U.S. Highway 17 corridor.
Low overall town-wide walkability score (averaging around 22), making car dependency nearly absolute outside specific pockets.
Vulnerability to tropical storms and seasonal coastal flooding common to the Lowcountry region.
Rental and housing markets present affordability hurdles for middle-income service and hospitality workers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Mount Pleasant
#183South Carolina, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
25.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
66.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
75
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