City Comparison
Hilton Head Island vs Toledo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hilton Head Island scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hilton Head Island
Toledo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toledo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in Hilton Head Island.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hilton Head Island's average rent is
203% higher than Toledo's.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Toledo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,880 | $950 | +203% |
| Groceries | $420 | $342 | +23% |
| Utilities | $180 | $295 | -39% |
| Transport | $130 | $180 | -28% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $200 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $3,850 | $1,967 | +96% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toledo offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toledo 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 $52,000 in Toledo.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 43,939 idx | 74,737 idx |
| Household Income | $94,657 | $49,724 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Hilton Head Island runs warmer on average — a 67.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Hilton Head Island comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Hilton Head Island sees 7.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 44.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Toledo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toledo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toledo is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hilton Head Island.
From a growth perspective, Hilton Head Island is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hilton Head Island has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hilton Head Island | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,403 | 267,463 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | — |
| Median Age | 59.8 | 35.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.40% |
| 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.
Toledo
Advantages
Toledo offers a significantly affordable cost of living, approximately 5% lower than the national average.
The city boasts a thriving arts and cultural scene, highlighted by the world-class Toledo Museum of Art.
Residents have excellent access to nature and outdoor recreation through the extensive Metroparks system, the Maumee River, and Lake Erie.
Toledo has seen significant economic development and business investment, ranking among the top 10 nationally in 2024.
The average commute time in Toledo is relatively short at 19.8 minutes, easing daily travel for residents.
Drawbacks
Toledo has a high violent crime rate, which is significantly above the national average.
The city experiences harsh winters with cold temperatures and notable snowfall.
Toledo's infrastructure, particularly its roads, is often cited as being in poor condition.
Job opportunities in some high-growth sectors may be limited compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Public transportation options in Toledo are considered limited, leading to high car dependency for most errands.
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
Toledo
#590Ohio, USA
43.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
46.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Hilton Head Island and Toledo.
Open Cost Calculator