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Hilton Head, South Carolina Retirement Guide
mild wintersestablished retirement community
44
Retirement Score
Hilton Head, South Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $589,000
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.
- Avg January Low
- 45.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 93.3 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- mild winters, established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 44 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
93.3 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$589,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,563High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; generous retirement income deduction.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
30.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
45.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
30.2 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
88.7°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
45.4°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
47.1"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
318 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
11.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
1.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
37,708High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
59.8High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
39.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$93,694High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
80.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
10.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
53.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
7.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
78.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
7.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
13.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
0.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Hilton Head using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$1,276
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,433
Median home price used: $589,000
Median rent reference: $1,563 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.